Childhood Attachment with Parents as Predictor of Subjective Wellbeing in Emerging Adults

Abstract

The current study was intended to explore the dynamics of attachment relationships with the caregivers formed during childhood and the influence of this attachment on the well-being of the emerging adults. It was hypothesized that insecure (avoidant & anxious) attachment style with mother/father is negatively correlated with subjective well-being among emerging adults (18-25 years old). Furthermore, insecure attachment (avoidant & anxious) with mother/father in childhood predicts decreased subjective well-being in emerging adults. The sample comprised N = 403 undergraduate students, aged 18-25 years, from a public sector university. Experiences in Close Relationships- Relations Structure was used to assess the attachment insecurity of the adult with his/her mother and father both. Subjective well-being was measured using three scales: Satisfaction with Life Scale, Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale, and Flourishing Scale. The regression analyses showed that subjective well-being was significantly predicted by insecure attachment. Keywords: attachment insecurity, subjective well-being, emerging adulthood