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Attachment Style and Its Relationships with Early Memories of Separation Anxiety and Adult Separation Anxiety Symptoms among Emerging Adults

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  • Giulia Bassi

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
    Digital Health Lab, Centre for Digital Health and Wellbeing, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Elisa Mancinelli

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
    Digital Health Lab, Centre for Digital Health and Wellbeing, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Silvia Spaggiari

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy)

  • Adriana Lis

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy)

  • Silvia Salcuni

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy)

  • Daniela Di Riso

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy)

Abstract

Emerging adulthood concerns the transition from adolescence to adulthood. It foresees the separation from the family and the creation of new significant relationships, whereby specific attachment styles might be triggered when facing these challenges. The present study investigates the influence of retrospective memories associated with childhood separation anxiety symptoms upon emerging adults’ romantic avoidant vs. anxious attachment styles including adult separation anxiety symptoms as mediators. Age and gender were included as covariates. A community sample of N = 394 Italian emerging adults (Mage = 23.64, SD = 4.00, 70% females) completed self-report measures. The results showed that the participants presented a greater anxious attachment rather than an avoidant attachment style. Moreover, both adult separation anxiety and the memories of early separation anxiety were positively and significantly associated with anxious attachment and not with avoidant attachment. A mediation model conducted and focused on anxious attachment showed that, although not directly associated, child separation anxiety did show a significant positive indirect effect on anxious attachment as mediated by adult separation anxiety symptoms. Thus, the findings highlighted the influence of adult separation anxiety symptoms and retrospective childhood memories of separation anxiety upon anxious adult romantic attachment, yet not on avoidant attachment style. Clinical implications are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Bassi & Elisa Mancinelli & Silvia Spaggiari & Adriana Lis & Silvia Salcuni & Daniela Di Riso, 2022. "Attachment Style and Its Relationships with Early Memories of Separation Anxiety and Adult Separation Anxiety Symptoms among Emerging Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8666-:d:864265
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sofia Gimenez-Serrano & Marta Alcaide & Maria Reyes & Juan J. Zacarés & Montserrat Celdrán, 2022. "Beyond Parenting Socialization Years: The Relationship between Parenting Dimensions and Grandparenting Functioning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Oscar F. Garcia & Emilia Serra, 2019. "Raising Children with Poor School Performance: Parenting Styles and Short- and Long-Term Consequences for Adolescent and Adult Development," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-24, March.
    3. Octav-Sorin Candel, 2022. "The Link between Parenting Behaviors and Emerging Adults’ Relationship Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Relational Entitlement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-12, January.
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