Analysis of attachment types among LGBTQ individuals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/BPSY.2024.2(20).4Keywords:
attachment, LGBTQ, relationships, homophobia, sexual orientationAbstract
The analysis of attachment types among LGBTQ individuals is crucial because this group frequently faces additional challenges such as discrimination, internalized homophobia, and social isolation. These factors can significantly affect the formation of attachment types and overall mental health. Research in this area contributes to the development of effective psychotherapeutic approaches designed to support the LGBTQ community. The purpose of this study is to analyze attachment types among LGBTQ individuals to determine their impact on mental health and interpersonal relationships. This article is based on a systematic literature review.
The study found that attachment types among LGBTQ individuals differ significantly from those among heterosexual individuals due to specific social and psychological factors. Peer relationships among sexual minorities influence their well-being and the formation of attachment types. Specifically, in homosexual men, attachment types significantly affect the quality of intimate relationships, underscoring the importance of secure attachment for a satisfying interpersonal life.
Based on the analysis of scientific literature, it has been established that attachment types among LGBTQ individuals are shaped by minority stress, discrimination, social support, and interpersonal interactions. These factors can lead to the development of insecure attachment types, negatively impacting the mental health and quality of life of LGBTQ individuals. It is essential to understand that minority stress and discrimination create additional barriers to forming healthy interpersonal relationships and trust in others.
The practical significance of this study lies in the necessity to develop support programs for LGBTQ individuals that focus on strengthening secure attachment. Such programs should include individual psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at overcoming the effects of discrimination and minority stress, along with group therapy sessions that provide support and opportunities for sharing experiences among LGBTQ individuals.
Future research prospects include identifying effective methods to diminish the negative impact of discrimination and promote secure attachment among LGBTQ individuals. This encompasses both individual and group psychotherapeutic interventions that offer emotional support, foster self-regulation skills, and enhance self-esteem.
References
Список використаних джерел
Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. Basic books.
Brewster, M. E., Motulsky, W., Chan, A., Berg, E., & Kim, V. (2023). Romantic attachment, LGB minority stress, and mental health. Sexual and Gender Diversity in Social Services, 37(1), 52–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 10538720.2023.2286367
Carone, N., Mirabella, M., Innocenzi, E., Quintigliano, M., Antoniucci, C., Manzi, D., ... Lingiardi, V. (2023). The intergenerational transmission of attachment during middle childhood in lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parent families through assisted reproduction: The mediating role of reflective functioning. Attachment & Human Development, 1–27. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/14616734.2023.2292053
Christian, E. (2020). Attachment styles and relationship satisfaction among same-sex couples: A closer look using qualitative and quantitative approaches [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. California Lutheran University.
Diamond, L. M., & Lucas, S. (2004). Sexual-minority and heterosexual youths' peer relationships: Experiences, expectations, and implications for well-being. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 14(3), 313–340.
Elizur, Y., & Mintzer, A. (2003). Gay males' intimate relationships: Attachment style and relationship quality. Personal relationship, 10(3), 411–435. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6811.00057
Fleitas, K. M. (2023). Affectionately attached: The impact of attachment styles on sexual self-concept among adults who identify as LGBTGEQIAP+ [Doctoral dissertation, James Madison University]. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/ diss202029/124/
Frost, D. M., & Meyer, I. H. (2009). Internalized homophobia and relationship quality among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(1), 97–109. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012844
Keating, L., & Muller, R. T. (2019). LGBTQ+ based discrimination is associated with PTSD symptoms, dissociation, emotion dysregulation, and attachment insecurity among LGBTQ+ adults who have experienced trauma. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 21(1), 124–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 15299732.2019.1675222
Kurdek, L. A. (2004). Are gay and lesbian cohabiting couples really different from heterosexual married couples? Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(4), 880–900.
Lazarevic, V., Holman, E. G., Oswald, R. F., & Kramer, K. Z. (2016). Relations between economic well-being, family support, community attachment, and life satisfaction among LGBQ adults. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 37, 594–606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-015-9464-1
Martinez, J., & Rubin, N. (2016). Examining the complex relationship between attachment, depression and anxiety in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender elderly compared to heterosexual cisgender elders [Unpublished Master's thesis]. Brenau University.
Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. Guilford Publications.
Mohr, J. J., & Fassinger, R. E. (2003). Self-acceptance and self-disclosure of sexual orientation in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: An attachment perspective. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50(4), 482–485. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.50.4.482
Paceley, M. S., Oswald, R. F., & Hardesty, J. L. (2014). Factors associated with involvement in nonmetropolitan LGBTQ organizations: Proximity? Generativity? Minority Stress? Social Location? Journal of Homosexuality, 61(10), 1481–1500. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2014.928582
Popa-Velea, O., Diaconescu, L. V., Ion, F. A., Ştefancu, D., & Truţescu, C. (2019). Attachment style and perceived discrimination: Associations with depression among young lesbian, gay, and bisexual Romanian adults. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(10), 3259–3272. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518815775
Riggle, E. D. B., Rostosky, S. S., & Horne, S. G. (2010). Psychological distress, well-being, and legal recognition in same-sex couple relationships. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(1), 82-86. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017942
Sanscartier, S., & MacDonald, G. (2019). Healing through community connection? Modeling links between attachment avoidance, connectedness to the LGBTQ+ community, and internalized heterosexism. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 66(5), 564–576.
Set, Z., & Altinok, A. (2016). In lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals: Attachment, self-compassion and internalized homophobia: A theoretical study. Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies and Research, 5(3), 135–144. https://doi.org/10.5455/JCBPR.239260
Sirgy, M. J., Rahtz, D. R., Cicic, M., & Underwood, R. (2000). A method for assessing residents' satisfaction with community-based services: A quality-of-life perspective. Social Indicators Research, 49(3), 279–316. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006990718673
Tharinger, D., & Wells, G. (2000). An attachment perspective on the developmental challenges of gay and lesbian adolescents: The need for continuity of caregiving from family and schools. School Psychology Review, 29(2), 158–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/02796015.2000.12086004
Trombetta, T., Paradiso, M. N., & Santoniccolo, F. (2024). The role of attachment anxiety and avoidance in predicting proximal minority stressors among gay and lesbian people in Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(6), Article 655. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph21060655
References
Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. Basic books.
Brewster, M. E., Motulsky, W., Chan, A., Berg, E., & Kim, V. (2023). Romantic attachment, LGB minority stress, and mental health. Sexual and Gender Diversity in Social Services, 37(1), 52–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 10538720.2023.2286367
Carone, N., Mirabella, M., Innocenzi, E., Quintigliano, M., Antoniucci, C., Manzi, D., ... Lingiardi, V. (2023). The intergenerational transmission of attachment during middle childhood in lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parent families through assisted reproduction: The mediating role of reflective functioning. Attachment & Human Development, 1–27. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/14616734.2023.2292053
Christian, E. (2020). Attachment styles and relationship satisfaction among same-sex couples: A closer look using qualitative and quantitative approaches [Unpublished Doctoral dissertation]. California Lutheran University.
Diamond, L. M., & Lucas, S. (2004). Sexual-minority and heterosexual youths' peer relationships: Experiences, expectations, and implications for well-being. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 14(3), 313–340.
Elizur, Y., & Mintzer, A. (2003). Gay males' intimate relationships: Attachment style and relationship quality. Personal relationship, 10(3), 411–435. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6811.00057
Fleitas, K. M. (2023). Affectionately attached: The impact of attachment styles on sexual self-concept among adults who identify as LGBTGEQIAP+ [Doctoral dissertation, James Madison University]. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/ diss202029/124/
Frost, D. M., & Meyer, I. H. (2009). Internalized homophobia and relationship quality among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(1), 97–109. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012844
Keating, L., & Muller, R. T. (2019). LGBTQ+ based discrimination is associated with PTSD symptoms, dissociation, emotion dysregulation, and attachment insecurity among LGBTQ+ adults who have experienced trauma. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 21(1), 124–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 15299732.2019.1675222
Kurdek, L. A. (2004). Are gay and lesbian cohabiting couples really different from heterosexual married couples? Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(4), 880–900.
Lazarevic, V., Holman, E. G., Oswald, R. F., & Kramer, K. Z. (2016). Relations between economic well-being, family support, community attachment, and life satisfaction among LGBQ adults. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 37, 594–606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-015-9464-1
Martinez, J., & Rubin, N. (2016). Examining the complex relationship between attachment, depression and anxiety in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender elderly compared to heterosexual cisgender elders [Unpublished Master's thesis]. Brenau University.
Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. Guilford Publications.
Mohr, J. J., & Fassinger, R. E. (2003). Self-acceptance and self-disclosure of sexual orientation in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: An attachment perspective. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50(4), 482–485. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.50.4.482
Paceley, M. S., Oswald, R. F., & Hardesty, J. L. (2014). Factors associated with involvement in nonmetropolitan LGBTQ organizations: Proximity? Generativity? Minority Stress? Social Location? Journal of Homosexuality, 61(10), 1481–1500. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2014.928582
Popa-Velea, O., Diaconescu, L. V., Ion, F. A., Ştefancu, D., & Truţescu, C. (2019). Attachment style and perceived discrimination: Associations with depression among young lesbian, gay, and bisexual Romanian adults. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(10), 3259–3272. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518815775
Riggle, E. D. B., Rostosky, S. S., & Horne, S. G. (2010). Psychological distress, well-being, and legal recognition in same-sex couple relationships. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(1), 82-86. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017942
Sanscartier, S., & MacDonald, G. (2019). Healing through community connection? Modeling links between attachment avoidance, connectedness to the LGBTQ+ community, and internalized heterosexism. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 66(5), 564–576.
Set, Z., & Altinok, A. (2016). In lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals: Attachment, self-compassion and internalized homophobia: A theoretical study. Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies and Research, 5(3), 135–144. https://doi.org/10.5455/JCBPR.239260
Sirgy, M. J., Rahtz, D. R., Cicic, M., & Underwood, R. (2000). A method for assessing residents' satisfaction with community-based services: A quality-of-life perspective. Social Indicators Research, 49(3), 279–316. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006990718673
Tharinger, D., & Wells, G. (2000). An attachment perspective on the developmental challenges of gay and lesbian adolescents: The need for continuity of caregiving from family and schools. School Psychology Review, 29(2), 158–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/02796015.2000.12086004
Trombetta, T., Paradiso, M. N., & Santoniccolo, F. (2024). The role of attachment anxiety and avoidance in predicting proximal minority stressors among gay and lesbian people in Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(6), Article 655. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph21060655
