Attachment, love styles and spirituality as predictors for changing partners in adulthood

• Main Authors: Maja Tisovec, Petja kovačevič, Peter Golob
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenian Psychologists' Association 2011-08-01
• Series: Psihološka Obzorja
• Subjects: attachment; love; spirituality; interpersonal relationships
• Online Access: http://psiholoska-obzorja.si/arhiv_clanki/2011_2/tisovec_et_al.pdf

The purpose of the research was to determine whether partners in an adult relationship who report less secure style of parental attachment in childhood more often change partners than those who report a secure attachment style, and whether those who change their partners correlate in the romantic style, and whether the features of the spiritual dimensions of personality will distinguish from those who change partners less frequently. The sample included 353 participants, aged from 15 to 66 years. On the basis of the research we came to the conclusion that parental attachment is associated with changing partners. Individuals whose parents were available to their children, provided them with support and attention, were changing partners less often than those, who did not have that much support and attention. The study showed that individuals who were frequently changing their partners showed two distinctive love styles - play and friendship. Those who do not agree with changing partners or had less partnerships, showed a distinctive trend of erotic, pragmatic and selfless love styles.The study also showed significant correlation between spirituality and changing partners - those who were more spiritual (particularly in the sense that they are more committed to find emotional satisfaction in prayer or meditation), had more partnerships and sexual intercourses.