A recent study conducted in 2024 highlighted the impact of an individual’s attachment style on their experience of singlehood. The researchers found that attachment style plays a crucial role in shaping how people feel, behave, and connect with others in close relationships. The study identified four main attachment styles that can affect one’s experience of singlehood: secure, anxious, avoidant, and fearful.
Individuals with a secure attachment style tend to view singlehood as a deliberate choice rather than a defensive denial of intimacy needs. They experience contentment and autonomy in their single life, while still maintaining meaningful connections with family and friends. These individuals generally have higher levels of life satisfaction, self-esteem, and empathy, and lower levels of emotional distress compared to those with insecure attachment styles. They are open to the idea of romantic relationships in the future and have access to strong social support networks.
People with an anxious attachment style often struggle with maladaptive interpersonal behaviors rooted in insecurity and fear of abandonment. They tend to experience unstable relationships and dissatisfaction with singlehood due to their intense desire for intimacy coupled with fears of rejection and loneliness. Anxiously attached individuals have lower self-esteem, greater neuroticism, and heightened emotional distress. They exhibit a strong fear of being single, leading to a desire for ex-partners or settling for unfulfilling relationships.
Individuals with an avoidant attachment style tend to avoid emotional vulnerability and intimacy, anticipating relationship failure and maintaining emotional distance from others. They report lower satisfaction with interpersonal relationships and poorer mental health outcomes compared to securely attached individuals. Avoidantly attached singles may struggle to find fulfillment in both romantic and non-romantic relationships due to their excessive self-reliance and autonomy. While they may have lower fear of being single and emotional instability than anxious individuals, their overall life satisfaction remains lower.
Fearfully attached singles exhibit high levels of both attachment anxiety and avoidance, leading to inner turmoil and ambivalence in their journey through singlehood. They experience heightened fears of being single, neuroticism, and low self-esteem. Fearful singles have the lowest levels of psychological well-being and availability of support among the attachment styles. They also display increased emotion dysregulation, hurt proneness, social anxiety, and elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Despite similarities with anxious individuals, fearful singles struggle to find and maintain satisfying romantic and non-romantic relationships due to their use of contradictory attachment strategies.
While attachment styles can have a significant impact on one’s experience of singlehood, they are not static and can evolve with intentional effort. Through therapy, self-reflection, and nurturing healthy relationships, individuals can navigate singlehood with greater resilience and fulfillment. Understanding one’s attachment style can provide insight into their romantic pursuits and overall well-being. If you’re curious about how you experience singlehood, consider taking the Fear Of Being Single Scale test to learn more about your attachment style and its implications.
