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Adult attachment in a nationally representative sample

K D Mickelson1, R C Kessler, P R Shaver

  • 1Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. mickelson@hcp.med.harvard.edu

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|November 19, 1997
PubMed
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This study of adult attachment styles in a diverse American sample found that childhood adversity and adult psychopathology are strongly linked to insecure attachment. Findings support and extend adult attachment theory for broader applications.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Attachment Theory
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Adult attachment research often uses limited samples (college students, distressed individuals).
  • A nationally representative sample is needed to understand adult attachment across diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Examine sociodemographics, childhood adversity, parental representations, psychopathology, and personality traits in relation to adult attachment.
  • Replicate previous findings and extend adult attachment theory.
  • Investigate associations in a large, nationally representative sample of American adults.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a large, nationally representative sample of American adults.
  • Analyzed the relationships between sociodemographic variables, childhood adversity, parental representations, adult psychopathology, personality traits, and adult attachment styles.

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Main Results:

  • Adult attachment style distribution: 59% secure, 25% avoidant, 11% anxious.
  • Adult attachment correlated with sociodemographic factors (income, age, race) not previously studied.
  • Interpersonal childhood adversities strongly predicted insecure adult attachment.
  • Adult psychopathology and personality traits showed significant associations with adult attachment.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood adversity and adult psychopathology are significant predictors of insecure adult attachment.
  • Findings broaden the understanding of adult attachment theory by including diverse sociodemographic factors.
  • Highlights the need for further research into the complex interplay of factors influencing adult attachment.