Relationships Between Attachment Styles andSelf-Image, Sexual Self-Image, andPreferred Characteristics of an Ideal Man.

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between attachment styles and self-image, sexual self-image, and preferred characteristics for an ideal man to have in 40 college women ages 18-24.Each participant completed an anonymous questionnaire containing five scales.Two different scales were used to determine attachment style, one focused on self-esteem, one on sexual self-image, and one in ideal characteristics for an ideal man. Ideal man characteristics were either masculine or feminine.As predicted, attachment styles did seem to show a relationship with sexual self-image and self-image.Those attachment styles described by an individual having low self-esteem received low self-image scores.The dismissive-avoidant group was associated with the highest sexual self-image score. Attachment style and preferred characteristics showed a relationship between the dismissive-avoidant group and more male preferred characteristics as opposed to more female characteristics in the other groups.