The contribution of age, the nature of relationships and material independence in measuring attachment in women

Abstract

According to the attachment theory of John Bowlby, working relationship models have high ontogenetic stability, however situational factors, including adverse circumstances, can have an effect on intensity of anxiety degree and avoidant behavior in relationships. One of the significant factors potentially influencing the nature of attachment to a romantic partner for women may be the level of material independence, which increases self-confidence. According to cross-cultural studies, the level of anxiety in relationships decreases with age, and the level of avoidance increases, which is due, among other things, to environmental factors. As we expect, one of these factors may be an increase in material independence, which usually increases with age. The study focuses on testing the hypothesis that the level of financial independence for women makes a greater contribution than age to reducing anxiety and increasing avoidance. Analysis of obtained data (n = 2127 females, from 21 to 60 years old with an average age of 40,1), collected via online forms in social media sites, partly proves the hypothesis. Increase of financial independence lowers level of anxiety in relationship for women in committed relationship and for single women and doesn`t contribute to changes in level of avoidance in relationship. Contribution of financial independence is more significant for women in committed relationship than for single women, contribution of age is not significant, and for single women lower level of anxiety is dependent both from age and level of financial independence. Connection between financial independence and age is insignificant in all cases.