Year: 2026 | Month: April-June | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 43-49
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260205
Intimacy via Attachment: Exploring the Relationship Between Adult Attachment Styles and Sexual Attitudes
Deepali Panda1, Dr. Lokesh L2
1Student, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be) University, Bangalore, India.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be) University, Bangalore, India.
Corresponding Author: Deepali Panda
ABSTRACT
This study examines the relationship between adult attachment styles and sexual attitudes within the Indian sociocultural context. Based on attachment theory, it examines the relationship between secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganised attachment styles and various aspects of sexual attitudes, such as permissiveness, birth control, communion, and instrumentality. The design was quantitative cross-sectional, and the sample was 256 adults aged 18-40 years. Measures of adult attachment and sexual attitudes were used as standardised measures of data collection. Statistical analyses comprised descriptive statistics, Welch ANOVA and post-hoc comparison, and MANOVA via Jamovi. Results indicated that attachment styles were significantly related to variations in sexual attitudes. Secure attachment was associated with higher communion, anxious attachment with greater permissiveness and communion, while avoidant and disorganised attachment were associated with higher permissiveness and instrumentality. These findings highlight the role of attachment orientations in shaping sexual beliefs and relational patterns.
Keywords: Adult Attachment Styles, Sexual Attitudes, Permissiveness, Communion, Instrumentality, Birth Control