ATTACHMENT STYLE AND WELL-BEING IN ELDERLY ADULTS - A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

This study examined the relationship between attachment styles and sub jective well-being in late adulthood. Seventy-six elderly adults (mean age = 67.9 years) completed the Relationship Questionnaire (a measure of attachment styles), the MUNSH (a measure of subjective well-being) and ratings of perceived health and marital status. Results indicated that both health and attachment style produced significant main effec ts, but no interaction, on well-being. Specifically, healthy individua ls were happier than unhealthy ones; participants with secure and dism issive attachment styles were significantly happier than those classif ied as fearful. The distribution of attachment style classification ac ross secure, preoccupied, fearful, and dismissive styles showed differ ences compared to previous research with younger adults.