A Correlational Study on Insecure Attachment Styles and Dimensions of Trust in Romantic Relationships among University Students

Abstract

The present study analysed the association between the two insecure adult attachment styles, which are Anxious and Avoidant and trust dimensions, namely Dependability, Faith and Predictability, with a motive to address the gap in research within the Indian cultural context. The study was conducted on the population of university students between 18 to 25 years from Kolkata. A correlational research design was incorporated alongside 80 participants who are currently in a romantic relationship. This research utilised standardised tools, which are the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS) by Collins (1996) and the Trust Scale by Rempel, Holmes & Zanna (1985), for data collection. The results of the study indicate a significant positive correlation between anxious attachment and faith. Anxious attachment and dependability share a positive association, though the results were not statistically significant and predictability shares a significant negative correlation, showing that such individuals view their partners as inconsistent, unstable and unpredictable. On the other hand, the findings for avoidantly attached individuals highlight a negative relationship with both dependability and faith. The results for both were statistically significant. Interestingly, no association was found between avoidant attachment and predictability. This study adds to the limited Indian literature by showing how attachment styles shape trust in young adults’ relationships, offering culturally relevant insights. The findings can shed light on the significance of promoting secure bonds for healthy relationship dynamics among young adults, guide therapeutic strategies, relationship education, and future research on digital-age relational challenges.