The aim of the study was to investigate the association between trait and state
attachment features and involvement in a couple-relationship. Eighty-four
participants of different nationalities completed Childhood Trauma Questionnaire
(CTQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Attachment Style Questionnaire
(ASQ), Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), State Adult
Attachment Measure (SAAM) and a personal questionnaire focused on
involvement and amount of time spent in a couple-relationship.
Results of the study showed that trait attachment features predicted involvement in
a close relationship and the presence of a couple relationship predicted attachment
state dimensions. Correlation analyses showed that the involvement in couple
relationship was associated to CTQ Physical Neglect and SAAM Anxiety while
participants without a partner had higher scores on CTQ Emotional Abuse, ECR-
R Avoidance and SAAM Avoidance. Regression analyses showed that trait
attachment features predicted time spent in a close relationship, while time spent in
relationship predicted state attachment dimensions. Moreover, regression analysis
showed that SAAM Security was predicted by ECR-R scales only in the sample of
participants involved in a couple relationship
