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PSI CHI: The International Honor Society in Psychology

The International Honor Society in Psychology

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Influences of Family of Origin and Relationship Closeness on Romantic Attachment Security

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by Ariel Levesque - Eastern Connecticut State University


This study examined the association between family of origin social and emotional environment and romantic relationship closeness on romantic relationship attachment security. A convenience sample was taken of 52 undergraduate students who had been in a romantic relationship for a minimum of two months. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess how family of origin autonomy and intimacy and romantic relationship closeness (diversity, strength, and frequency) influenced romantic relationship attachment security (avoidance and anxiety). This study used multiple regression analyses to determine that family of origin autonomy was negatively correlated with avoidance t(1) = 4.58, p = .00 and anxiety, t(1) = 3.76, p < .001, partially supporting the hypotheses. Implications, especially in the realm of family and couple counseling, are discussed.


Winter 2012 | Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research (Vol. 17, No. 4, p. 145), published by Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology (Chattanooga, TN). Copyright, 2012, Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. All rights reserved.


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