Attachment type in the context of romantic relationships in youth

Abstract

The article deals with the current topic of research on types of attachment in youth and their relationship with indicators of codependency. Classical and modern approaches to defining the concept of "attachment" are considered, various typologies of attachment and factors influencing its manifestation are analyzed. The influence of types of attachment and characteristics of romantic relationships in youth, in particular the tendency to codependency, was studied. The main approaches to understanding attachment and codependence, their role in the formation of interpersonal interaction are theoretically analyzed. The empirical study was conducted on a sample of 107 people aged 14 to 19 using a complex of psychodiagnostic techniques, including tests to determine the type of attachment and the level of codependency. It was statistically proven that the types of attachment are represented unevenly in the youth sample, in particular, the over-involved type dominates. Interrelationships between the type of attachment and the level of codependency were revealed, the highest of which was determined in the fearful type. The analysis of the obtained results indicates the existence of a clear differentiation of the level of codependence between groups with different types of attachment. The lowest values of average ranks are observed in respondents with a reliable type of attachment, which confirms their ability to maintain autonomy in interpersonal relationships and the absence of pronounced codependent tendencies. As a result of the study, it was established that the type of attachment is a significant factor that affects the level of codependency in romantic relationships.It was found that the highest level of codependency is typical for individuals with anxious and avoidant types of attachment, while the lowest is for individuals with a secure type. Thus, the hypothesis about the dependence of the level of codependence on the type of attachment is confirmed. The obtained results can be used in the practice of psychological counseling and the development of programs for the formation of healthy interpersonal relationships among young people.