HIERARCHIES OF ATTACHMENT RELATIONSHIPS IN YOUNG ADULTHOOD

This study examined the characteristics of attachment hierarchies in y oung adulthood. Multiple components were used to assess attachment bon ds: using the attachment figure as a safe haven in times of distress, using him or her as a secure base from which to venture out independen tly, having a strong emotional tie with the person regardless of wheth er the tie is positive, negative, or mixed, seeking to be in close pro ximity to the person, and mourning the loss of the person. The Attachm ent Network Questionnaire (ANO) was developed to measure multiple adul t attachment relationships and to examine the characteristics of attac hment hierarchies. 223 university students completed the ANQ by listin g their significant relationships and then ranking these persons in te rms of the various components of attachment. A subset of the participa nts was followed up to examine the one month test-retest reliability o f the ANQ. Young adult participants were found, on average, to have 5. 38 attachment figures, including family members, romantic partners, an d friends. The figures identified included both secure and insecure at tachments. In addition, the ANQ demonstrated adequate test-retest reli ability over one month.