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Conceptualizing love addiction within the attachment perspective: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Roberta Gabriella Cavalli1, Judith Feeney2, Guyonne Rogier3
11Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy.
Journal of Behavioral Addictions
|April 29, 2025
Summary
This study reveals that Love Addiction (LA) is significantly linked to anxious attachment and negatively associated with avoidant attachment. Understanding these attachment styles is key to defining LA subtypes and its relational nature.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Addiction Studies
Background:
- Love Addiction (LA) requires deeper understanding of its psychological underpinnings.
- Attachment style serves as a crucial theoretical framework for exploring LA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze existing literature on Love Addiction.
- To investigate the specific role of attachment styles in the psychological mechanisms of LA.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across five major databases (PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science).
- 15 studies involving 3,628 participants were included in the meta-analysis.
- Analyses included heterogeneity testing, effect dispersion, and moderator analysis (gender, age, continent, study quality, attachment instruments).
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between Love Addiction and anxious attachment (r = 0.39, p < 0.05).
- A significant negative correlation was observed between Love Addiction and avoidant attachment (r = -0.09, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- The findings support the relational nature of Love Addiction, distinguishing it from other addictive disorders.
- The identified associations with anxious and avoidant attachment offer insights into potential Love Addict subtypes.
- This systematic review and meta-analysis provide a foundation for operationalizing the LA construct.
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