Attachment style, love components and sociosexual orientation of men and women in different types of heterosexual relationships

Abstract

This study aimed to define psychological determinants of choosing heterosexual relationship type. In this purpose three groups of participants have been compared, representing different types of relationships (Friends With Benefits – FWB, short-term relationships, lasting shorter than 12 months and long-term relationships, lasting longer than 12 months) with respect to the attachment styles, passion, intimacy and commitment and sociosexual orientation. 90 individuals participated in the study (15 women and 15 men in each group). They completed three questionnaires: Attachment Style Questionnaire by Mieczysław Plopa (2008), Love Measurement Questionnaire and Sociosexual Orientation Inventory Questionnaire SOI-R by Penke and Asendorpf (2008). Results of the univariate analysis of variance indicated, that individuals in short-term and long-term relationships showed higher intensity of the secure attachment style and higher level of intimacy and commitment, while persons in FWB relationships showed higher intensity of the avoidant attachment style and non-restrictive sociosexual orientation. No statistically significant differences have been observed between the groups with respect to the intensity of the anxious/ambivalent attachment style and the level of passion.