Attachment style as a predictor of sexual attitudes and behavior in late adolescence

This research applied attachment theory to the study of sexual attitudes an d behaviors in a sample of late adolescents. Four hundred and seventy heter osexual undergraduate students completed questionnaires assessing attachmen t (discomfort with closeness; anxiety over relationships), relationship his tory, communication about sex, sexual self-efficacy and locus of control, a nd attitudes to condoms. Eight weeks later, participants reported on sexual behaviors occurring during the eight-week interval, and perceived risk of these activities. Both discomfort with closeness and anxiety over relations hips were associated with external locus of control for sexual outcomes, an d with use of drugs before sexual contact. Anxiety over relationships was l inked to unsafe sex and to negative attitudes to condoms, but discomfort wi th closeness was associated with a more cautious approach to sexual risk-ta king. Some results were qualified by gender differences, and by differences between the full sample and those who were sexually active. The findings a re discussed in terms of attachment style and its links with communication and affect regulation.