Relationship between Family Environment and Attachment Insecurity among Individuals in Romantic Relationships

Abstract

Family environment represents an important context for the development of interpersonal expectations and patterns of relating to others. The present study examined the relationship between family environment and attachment-related anxiety and attachment-related avoidance among individuals involved in romantic relationships. A quantitative, cross-sectional correlational research design was employed with 150 individuals aged 18–40 years who were currently involved in romantic relationships. Family environment was assessed using the Family Environment Scale (FES), which comprises 10 subscales organized into Relationship, Personal Growth, and System Maintenance dimensions. Attachment was assessed using the Experiences in Close Relationships–Revised (ECR-R), measuring attachment-related anxiety and attachment-related avoidance. Pearson’s product–moment correlations were conducted to examine the associations between family environment and attachment dimensions. At the broad dimensional level, System Maintenance was significantly and negatively associated with attachment-related avoidance, whereas the other broad family environment dimensions were not significantly associated with attachment. At the subscale level, Cohesion, Expressiveness, and Independence were negatively associated with both attachment-related anxiety and avoidance, whereas Conflict was positively associated with both dimensions. Moral-Religious Emphasis showed weak positive associations with both attachment dimensions, while Control was negatively associated with attachment-related avoidance. Overall, the findings suggest that specific characteristics of family environment, particularly cohesion, emotional expressiveness, conflict, and independence, may be associated with attachment-related experiences in close relationships. The findings highlight the importance of examining specific family interaction patterns rather than considering family environment only as a global construct.