The Role of Romantic Attachment Security & Dating Identity Exploration in Understanding Adolescents' Sexual Attitudes & Cumulative Sexual Risk-Taking

This study addressed how two normative developmental factors, attachment and identity, are associated with adolescents' sexual attitudes and sexual risk-taking behavior. The sample consisted of 2029 adolescents (mean age = 16.2 years) living in the Southeast United States. Path analysis was used to test the hypotheses. 

• Higher levels of attachment anxiety predicted more dating identity exploration and less healthy sexual attitudes. 
• Higher levels of attachment avoidance predicted less dating identity exploration and indirectly predicted less healthy sexual attitudes through dating identity exploration. 
• Females with dating or sexual experience showed the weakest associations between the attachment dimensions and dating identity exploration. 
• More dating identity exploration predicted healthier sexual attitudes; this association was strongest for non-virgins. 
• Finally, higher levels of attachment avoidance were associated with higher cumulative sexual risk scores, but only among non-virgin males. 

Results are interpreted in light of theory and research on attachment, identity exploration, and adolescent sexual relationships.

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By: McElwain AD1, Kerpelman JL2, Pittman JF2.

• 1Auburn University, 203 Spidle Hall, Auburn, AL 36839, USA. Electronic address: Azm0046@auburn.edu.
• 2Auburn University, 203 Spidle Hall, Auburn, AL 36839, USA.  

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