Date of Submission

4-29-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Advisor

Jeffrey Debies-Carl

Keywords

attachment styles, secure attachment, anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, friendship dimensions, friendship quality

LCSH

friendship--sociological aspects

Abstract

The relationship between attachment styles and friendship has been a prevalent topic in psychology; particularly, the influence attachment styles have on friendships and peer relationships during childhood. However, there is still a relatively small body of research on this association in young adults. Therefore, this study tested the significance of attachment styles as predictors of friendship quality in young adults. Eighty-seven undergraduate students took the State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM) and the Friendship Qualities Scale (FQS). Participants were identified through the SAAM as having a secure, anxious, or avoidant attachment style. Their attachment style was measured alongside the participant’s scores in the dimensions of Companionship, Conflict, Help, Security, and Closeness in the FSQ. The results indicated that attachment styles had a statistical significance in the Help and Security qualities. On the other hand, no statistical significance was found within Companionship, Conflict, and Closeness. These results concur with attachment theory and theories of friendship formation and maintenance, such as the interdependence theory of friendship. Findings on some of the qualities, such as Companionship and Closeness, depart from previous research. This suggest that other factors (e.g., psychological, cultural) may have a higher influence on friendship quality than attachment styles. Given that attachment styles have been found to significantly impact factors of friendship, future research could study friendship through a holistic approach measuring common predictors of friendship alongside attachment styles.

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