Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Background: This study aimed to analyze the associations of adult attachment styles with psychological well-being in relation to age groups young adults vs adults and relationship status singleness vs close relationships.
The Psychological Well-being Scale was used to analyze psychological well-being, and the Attachment Style Questionnaire was chosen to evaluate adult attachment dimensions. Results: Individuals with stable close relationships reported higher levels of psychological well-being than singles. Furthermore, compared to people with stable close relationships, singles had an attachment style associated with discomfort with closeness, relationships as secondary, and avoidance.
Finally, in single people, psychological well-being was moderately and positively predicted by attachment style characterized by confidence but strongly and negatively by attachment characterized by the need for approval. Regarding individuals with stable relationships, psychological well-being was strongly and negatively predicted by attachment style characterized by the need for approval. Conclusions: In adult attachment styles, close relationships can be viewed as a protective factor for long-term emotional stability and psychological well-being.
Notably, affective experiences in childhood have a relevant impact on the type and quality of relationships that individuals develop as adults. They frequently guide people as they look to form relationships, particularly intimate ones, later in life [ 6 , 7 ]. People can develop a stable attachment with a sufficient amount of self-esteem, emotional stability, and a favorable perception of both themselves and others if attachment-related mental representations are positive.
In contrast, people might adopt attachments defined by two types of insecure strategies if attachment experiences with primary figures are insufficient to create secure internal working models [ 7 ]. Typically present in people with an anxious attachment [ 7 , 9 , 10 ], hyperactivation strategies include a high need for care, persistent search for proximity and protection, rumination, and an intense worry about abandonment.
