Daily Experiences of Emotions and Social Contexts of Securely and Insecurely Attached Young Adults

Abstract

This study examined daily emotions and social contexts of young adults who differed in global attachment style (secure vs. insecure). Sixty-nine college students (41% male, 59% female) completed self-report measures of attachment and provided time-sampling data on moods, companionship, and activities using the experience sampling method. Secure (n = 41)andinsecure (n = 28)young adults spenta similar proportion of time with familiar intimates and alone. Secure individuals reported significantly more positive affect, higher levels of energy, and more connection than insecure individuals when they were alone and higher levels of energy and connection in the context of familiar intimates. Secure participants were more likely to report extreme positive emotions, and insecure participants were more likely to report extreme negative emotions, especially when they were alone. Insecure individuals did not report either more labile or flatter emotions than did secure individuals. Results are consistent with the conceptualization of attachment style as an organizational construct for emotion.