Attachment Styles and Their Influence on Interpersonal Relationship Quality, Conflict Resolution, and Emotional Closeness

Abstract

Attachment styles play a fundamental role in shaping individuals' interpersonal functioning, particularly during young adulthood when social and emotional relationships become increasingly important. The present study examined the influence of attachment styles on interpersonal relationship quality, conflict resolution, and emotional closeness among university students in Multan, Punjab, Pakistan. The present study utilized a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional survey design. Three hundred and fifty students from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Women University Multan, and The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (Multan Campus) were surveyed using a convenience sampling technique. Instruments used included self-report surveys that assess attachment styles, quality of interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, and emotional closeness. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26. The results of the study used descriptive statistics, and Pearson correlation used in Simple Linear Regression, and MANOVA. The results of the study suggested that attachment styles have a significant influence on the quality of interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, and emotional closeness. The findings of the current research suggest that the patterns of insecure attachment are related to the inability to develop and sustain healthy relationships and resolve interpersonal conflict and develop emotional closeness. The current research study offers the first empirical research study related to the role of attachment styles in the quality of interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in the context of Pakistani higher education. The study calls for the secure attachment patterns to be promoted through counseling, relationship education, and psychosocial interventions to sustain healthy interpersonal relationships in young adults.