a Department of Psychology , University of Queensland , Australia.
Psychol Health. 2000 Nov;14(6):1105-22. doi: 10.1080/08870440008407370.
Abstract This research applied attachment theory to the study of sexual attitudes and behaviors in a sample of late adolescents. Four hundred and seventy heterosexual undergraduate students completed questionnaires assessing attachment (discomfort with closeness; anxiety over relationships). relationship history, communication about sex. sexual self-efficacy and locus of control, and attitudes to condoms. Eight weeks later, participants reported on sexual behaviors occurring during the eight-week interval. and perceived risk of these activities. Both discomfort with closeness and anxiety over relationships were associated with external locus of control for sexual outcomes, and with use of drugs before sexual contact. Anxiety over relationships was linked to unsafe sex and to negative attitudes to condoms, but discomfort with closeness was associated with a more cautious approach to sexual risk-taking. Some results were qualified by gender differences. and by differences between the full sample and those who were sexually active. The findings arc discussed in terms of attachment style and its links with communication and affect regulation. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that attachment dimensions are reliably related to many aspects of sexual attitudes and behaviors among late adolescents. Insecure attachment was linked to increased drug use before sexual contact. Anxiety over relationships was also linked to less safe sexual practice, but discomfort with closeness was associated with a tendency for males to be cautious about sexual risk-taking. The results support the utility of the attachment perspective on adolescent sexuality, but also highlight the complex relations between attachment dimensions and sexual outcomes. Future research would benefit from more detailed investigations of the attitudes, emotions, and cognitions which may mediate the link between attachment style and sexual behavior. For example, those who are highly anxious about their relationships may engage in more risky sexual practices because they fear that non-compliance with partners' wishes will jeopardize their relationship; the tendency to engage in drug use before sexual cpntact may reflect their attempts to boost self-confidence or to manage negative mood states. Research into these issues has the potential to explain how attachment insecurity is played out in patterns of sexual activity.
摘要 本研究将依恋理论应用于对一组青少年后期的性态度和性行为的研究。470 名异性恋本科大学生完成了评估依恋（亲密不适；关系焦虑）、关系史、性沟通、性自我效能感和控制源以及对避孕套的态度的问卷。八周后，参与者报告了在八周间隔内发生的性行为以及对这些活动的感知风险。亲密不适和关系焦虑都与性结果的外部控制源以及性接触前使用药物有关。关系焦虑与不安全的性行为和对避孕套的负面态度有关，但亲密不适与对性冒险行为更谨慎的态度有关。一些结果受到性别差异和总体样本与性行为活跃者之间差异的限制。研究结果从依恋风格及其与沟通和情绪调节的关系方面进行了讨论。 总结和结论 本研究表明，依恋维度与青少年后期的许多性态度和行为方面密切相关。不安全的依恋与性接触前使用药物有关。关系焦虑也与不太安全的性行为有关，但亲密不适与男性谨慎对待性风险有关。结果支持了依恋视角对青少年性行为的有效性，但也强调了依恋维度与性结果之间的复杂关系。未来的研究将受益于对可能中介依恋风格和性行为之间联系的态度、情绪和认知的更详细调查。例如，那些对人际关系高度焦虑的人可能会从事更多的高风险性行为，因为他们担心不遵守伴侣的意愿会危及他们的关系；在性接触前使用药物的倾向可能反映了他们试图提高自信或管理负面情绪状态。对这些问题的研究有可能解释依恋不安全感如何体现在性行为模式中。
