Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model.

TLDR

The study proposes a new four‑group model of adult attachment styles. The authors defined four attachment patterns based on self‑ and other‑image, developed an interview to rate them, validated the ratings with self‑concept and interpersonal functioning measures, and assessed the styles in family and peer contexts. The model’s ratings correlated as predicted, linked to distinct interpersonal problem profiles, replicated across studies, and extended to family and peer relationships.

Abstract

A new 4-group model of attachment styles in adulthood is proposed. Four prototypic attachment patterns are defined using combinations of a person's self-image (positive or negative) and image of others (positive or negative). In Study 1, an interview was developed to yield continuous and categorical ratings of the 4 attachment styles. Intercorrelations of the attachment ratings were consistent with the proposed model. Attachment ratings were validated by self-report measures of self-concept and interpersonal functioning. Each style was associated with a distinct profile of interpersonal problems, according to both self- and friend-reports. In Study 2, attachment styles within the family of origin and with peers were assessed independently. Results of Study 1 were replicated. The proposed model was shown to be applicable to representations of family relations; Ss' attachment styles with peers were correlated with family attachment ratings.