Role of state and trait attachment dimensions on involvement in a close relationship

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between trait and state attachment features and involvement in a couple-relationship. Eighty-four participants of different nationalities completed Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM) and a personal questionnaire focused on involvement and amount of time spent in a couple-relationship. Results of the study showed that trait attachment features predicted involvement in a close relationship and the presence of a couple relationship predicted attachment state dimensions. Correlation analyses showed that the involvement in couple relationship was associated to CTQ Physical Neglect and SAAM Anxiety while participants without a partner had higher scores on CTQ Emotional Abuse, ECRR Avoidance and SAAM Avoidance. Regression analyses showed that trait attachment features predicted time spent in a close relationship, while time spent in relationship predicted state attachment dimensions. Moreover, regression analysis showed that SAAM Security was predicted by ECR-R scales only in the sample of participants involved in a couple relationship.