Attachment Style and Working Models of Parenting in Individuals without Children

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which insecure attachment predicted negative attitudes and expectations of parenting among people yet to have children. In total, 572 participants aged between 18 to 40 years completed an online survey that rated attachment styles, working models of parenting, and the desire to have children. As predicted, more avoidant people held more negative attitudes. In addition, a lower desire to have children mediated the link between attachment and negative working models of parenting. In contrast and as expected, more anxious people held less negative expectations of childrearing, were more interested in having children, and expected to be satisfied by the future role of parent. There were two novel features of the current study. First, it replicated and extended findings to an older, community based population. Second, analyses across two different samples (those in current relationships and single people) showed they were generally similar, although insecurity of attachment had stronger links with negative attitudes for those in current relationships.