The role of romantic attachment security and dating identity exploration in understanding adolescents' sexual attitudes and cumulative sexual risk‐taking

McElwain, Alyssa; Kerpelman, Jennifer L.; Pittman, Joe F.

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.12.005

Cited by 21 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Though few empirical studies have examined the relationship between adult attachment and sexual risk behavior, the relevant literature suggests that securely attached individuals participate in less risky sexual behavior as compared to individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance (Ahrens, Ciechanowski, & Katon, 2012; Bogaert & Sadava, 2002; Ciesla, Roberts, & Hewitt, 2004; McElwain, Kerpelman, & Pittman, 2015; Olley, 2010). For example, some studies have found that attachment anxiety is associated with negative beliefs about condom use, decreased likelihood of condom use, and lower perceived risk of HIV infection (Feeney, 1999; Hazan, Zeifman, & Middleton, 1994).…”

Section: Attachment Theory and Sexual Risk Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, much of the available evidence suggests that individuals with higher levels of attachment insecurity are more likely to engage in sexual risk behavior, which can in turn increase risk for negative physical health outcomes (Ahrens, Ciechanowski, & Katon, 2012; Bogaert & Sadava, 2002; Ciesla, Roberts, & Hewitt, 2004; McElwain, Kerpelman, & Pittman, 2015; Olley, 2010). Despite this, there continues to be a dearth of research which focuses on how attachment in adulthood is associated with sexual behavior overall and more specifically sexual risk behavior.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Attachment orientation and sexual risk behaviour among young Black gay and bisexual men

Cook

Watkins

Calebs

et al. 2016

Psychology & Sexuality

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This mixed methods study used an explanatory sequential design to examine the relationship between attachment and sexual behavior among young Black gay and bisexual men (YBGBM). Cross sectional online surveys and sex diaries were completed by a sample of YBGBM in New York City (n = 153) to assess the association between adult attachment insecurity and sexual risk behavior. The Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised (ECR-R) was used to assess three types of adult attachment (i.e., secure, anxious, and avoidant). Participants reported condomless sex encounters, as well as serodiscordant condomless anal sex encounters, as measures of sexual risk. Quantitative findings suggested that there were few associations between attachment type and sexual risk behavior; only men with attachment avoidance were likely to engage in condomless sex. However, qualitative findings illuminated some of the social complexities of the association between attachment in childhood, attachment in young adulthood and intimate partnerships, which could be linked to young adult sexual risk behavior. The study findings highlight the need for researchers to further examine the process by which individual differences in attachment orientation are related to YBGBM’s sexual behavior.

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Section: Attachment Theory and Sexual Risk Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Attachment orientation and sexual risk behaviour among young Black gay and bisexual men

Cook

Watkins

Calebs

et al. 2016

Psychology & Sexuality

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…McElwain et al [102] discovered that attachment style is associated with two precursors to fertility, sexual risk taking behaviour and attitudes. Both anxious and avoidant groups were more inclined than securely attached individuals to believe in sexual relationships without commitment.…”

Section: (E) Attachment Stylementioning

confidence: 99%

The evolved psychological mechanisms of fertility motivation: hunting for causation in a sea of correlation

McAllister

Pepper

Virgo

et al. 2016

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Cultural, ecological, familial and physiological factors consistently influence fertility behaviours, however, the proximate psychological mechanisms underlying fertility decisions in humans are poorly understood. Understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying human fertility may illuminate the final processes by which some of these known predictors have their influence. To date, research into the psychological mechanisms underlying fertility has been fragmented. Aspects of reproductive psychology have been examined by researchers in a range of fields, but the findings have not been systematically integrated in one review. We provide such a review, examining current theories and research on psychological mechanisms of fertility. We examine the methods and populations used in the research, as well as the disciplines and theoretical perspectives from which the work has come. Much of the work that has been done to date is methodologically limited to examining correlations between ecological, social and economic factors and fertility. We propose, and support with examples, the use of experimental methods to differentiate causal factors from correlates. We also discuss weaknesses in the experimental research, including limited work with non-WEIRD (western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic) populations.

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“…Thus, patterns of insecure romantic attachment develop during late adolescence, which has been suggested to increase the risk of poorer quality romantic relationships in adult life [3]. Given that ARA manifestations have been repeatedly linked with non-emotionally sexual and non-committed encounters, as well as risky sexual behaviour, the investigation of ARA in this stage is particularly significant [11][12][13].…”

Section: Age Related Changes In Romantic Attachment During Adolescencementioning

confidence: 99%

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2018

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Romantic development is a distinctive characteristic of puberty. However, a significant proportion of adolescents present with avoidant romantic attachment (ARA) tendencies, which have significant impact on their general adaptation. ARA variations have been suggested in relation to age, gender, engagement with a romantic partner and Excessive Internet Use (EIU) behaviours. In this longitudinal, two-wave study of a normative sample of 515 Greek adolescents at 16 and 18 years, ARA was assessed with the relevant subscale of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised and EIU with the Internet Addiction Test. A threelevel hierarchical linear model found ARA tendencies to decrease between 16 and 18 while engagement in a romantic relationship and EIU were associated with lower and higher ARA tendencies respectively. Gender did not differentiate ARA severity either at the age of 16 or its changes over time. Results highlight the need of adopting a longitudinal-contextualized approach and provide implications for prevention and intervention initiatives in relation to the romantic development of adolescents.

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The role of romantic attachment security and dating identity exploration in understanding adolescents' sexual attitudes and cumulative sexual risk‐taking

Cited by 21 publications

References 47 publications

Attachment orientation and sexual risk behaviour among young Black gay and bisexual men

Attachment orientation and sexual risk behaviour among young Black gay and bisexual men

The evolved psychological mechanisms of fertility motivation: hunting for causation in a sea of correlation

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