Comparisons of Close Relationships: An Evaluation of Relationship Quality and Patterns of Attachment to Parents, Friends, and Romantic Partners in Young Adults

Two theoretical models of attachment have been proposed. The trait model conceptualizes attachment as a general personality characteristic of an individual, whereas the context model conceptualizes attachments as relationship-specific. Participant-parent relationship quality, attachment patterns in relationships to friends, and attachment patterns in relationships to romantic partners were examined to determine whether participants experience one general, trait-like attachment orientation or whether attachment patterns are context-specific. A sample of 2,214 young adults (76% female) aged between 17 and 25 years was recruited for participation from psychology courses offered at their university of study. Students completed a survey package including five self-report measures evaluating relational dimensions in relationships to parents, friends, and romantic partners, in addition to one self-report measure of psychological well-being. Participants in couple relationships also completed two self-report measures of dyadic well-being. Results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support the conceptualization of attachment patterns as context-specific variables because findings revealed distinctions between attachment patterns/quality of relationship to parents, friends, and romantic partners. Results from regression analyses suggest that such relationships contribute differently to participants' psychological well-being and dyadic functioning.