Original scientific paper

Attachment Styles and Sexuality: the Contribution of Gender, Age and Relationship Status

Vesna Antičević orcid.org/0000-0002-1552-0952 ; University of Split, University Department for Health Studies
Dolores Britvić ; Clinical Hospital Center Split and School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
Nataša Jokić-Begić ; University of Zagreb, Department of Psychology, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the separate and combined contribution of gender, age and
relationship status to the differences in attachment styles and aspects of sexuality (sexual self-esteem and sexual
satisfaction). Methods. The sample included members of the general population (N=632). The following measures were
used to examine attachment styles and aspects of sexuality: Modified Inventory of Experiences in Close Relationships,
The Sexuality Scale and The New Sexual Satisfaction Scale. Results. Gender differences were established, indicating
more pronounced anxious attachment and lower sexual self-esteem in women compared with men, regardless of
relationship status. Age was negatively associated with sexual satisfaction. Single participants had higher levels of
avoidant attachment especially in the youngest and the oldest age group. They also had lower sexual self-esteem and
sexual satisfaction compared with coupled participants. Conclusion. Gender age and relationship status contributed
individually and jointly to individual differences in attachment styles and sexual self-esteem.

Keywords

Sexuality; Attachment; Gender; Age; Relatioship status

Hrčak ID:

203817

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/203817

Publication date:

19.7.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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