This paper examines the relationship between attachment styles and sexual
behaviour. Understanding the variables that influence sexual behaviour is
important to the process of designing therapeutic interventions and
psychoeducational sessions that are relevant to the needs of individuals struggling
with risky sexual behaviour. It was hypothesized that a significant relationship
would exist between insecure attachment styles and risky sexual behaviour. In
order to test the research hypothesis, the study used a quantitative correlational
research design to examine the relationship between the two variables.
Participants in this study were 269 men and women between the ages of 18 to 49
years who completed three (3) questionnaires, a demographic questionnaire, the
Experiences in Close Relationships Revised (ECR-R) and the Sexual Risk Survey
(SRS). Nonparametric tests were utilized to analyze the data. The overall results
of the study indicate that participants with insecure avoidant attachment styles
engage in more risky sexual behaviours than those with a secure attachment style.
The implications of the research for psychotherapy are discussed.