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