PSYCHOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF ATTACHMENT ACROSS GAYS AND LESBIANS
PDF 34-44 (Українська)

Keywords

attachment
attachment styles
homosexuals
gays
lesbians
interpersonal relationships
partnerships
social environment
discrimination
stigma
minority stress
coming out

How to Cite

Tkalych, M., & Hrechanyk, M. (2025). PSYCHOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF ATTACHMENT ACROSS GAYS AND LESBIANS. PSYCHOLOGICAL JOURNAL, 11(1), 34–44. https://doi.org/10.31108/1.2025.11.1.3

Abstract

The article provides a theoretical analysis and justification of the psychological characteristics of homosexual attachment. The main differences in defining attachment between gays and lesbians are investigated, as well as the influence of social and psychological factors on its formation. An analysis of theoretical approaches to the study of attachment is carried out, which consider emotional ties in the context of childhood experience, interpersonal interaction and social support. The main factors influencing attachment in LGB representatives are identified, in particular the level of acceptance by parents, social recognition of sexual orientation and attachment style in partner relationships. Three aspects of attachment are identified that affect psychological well-being: the emotional availability of partners, the level of social support and the impact of discrimination. It is determined that modern personality research emphasizes the key role of attachment in the formation of emotional regulation, social ties and satisfaction with relationships. The aspect of coming out has been highlighted as an important factor influencing self-esteem, nervous stability and the level of trust in relationships. It has been established that attachment in LGB people may be characterized by anxiety, uniqueness of intimacy or difficulties in self-disclosure due to the influence of social norms. The main psychological features of attachment have been identified: an increased level of anxious and avoidant attachment, dependence on social acceptance, the impact of discrimination on self-esteem and the need for additional support to form stable emotional bonds.

 

https://doi.org/10.31108/1.2025.11.1.3
PDF 34-44 (Українська)

References

Alieksieienko T.F. Osnovy humannykh vzaiemyn batkiv i ditei.Konsultuvannia simi: metodychni porady dlia konsultuvannia batkiv. Kyiv : DTsSSM, 2003. S. 70–99. [in Ukrainian]

Hrechanyk M. Komponenty hendernoi identychnosti LHBTIK+ Habitus. 2024. No 57, 201 – 208 [in Ukrainian]

Kikinezhdi O. M. Batkivsko-dytiachi stosunky u rozvytku hendernoho obrazu «Ia» pidlitka. Zbirnyk naukovykh prats" Problemy suchasnoi psykholohii", 2013, №20. [in Ukrainian]

Kikinezhdi O. M. Sotsialne konstruiuvannia henderu v molodizhnomu seredovyshchi: neotradytsionalizm chy ehalitaryzm?. Naukovyi visnyk Lvivskoho derzhavnoho universytetu vnutrishnikh sprav (seriia psykholohichna), 2012, № 2(2), 177-187. [in Ukrainian]

Tkalych M. H., Hrechanyk M. I. Biolohichni chynnyky homoseksualnosti indyvida Problemy suchasnoi psykholohii. 2020. No 2 (18). 115 – 124 [in Ukrainian]

Tkalych M.H., Zinchenko T.P., Kasian A.I. Henderno-rolova dyferentsiatsiia ta identychnist osobystosti: zmist ta struktura. Psykholohichnyi chasopys : naukovyi zhurnal. No 1. Vyp. 6. Kyiv : Instytut psykholohii imeni H. S. Kostiuka NAPN Ukrainy, 2020. S. 321 – 333. [in Ukrainian]

Ainsworth M. D. S., Blehar M. C., Waters E., Wall S. Patterns of attachment.Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 1978

Alanko K., Santtila P., Harlaar N., Witting K., Varjonen M., Jern P., Sandnabba N. K. Common genetic effects of gender atypical behavior in childhood and sexual orientation in adulthood: A study of Finnish twins. Archives of Sexual Behavior,2010 39, 81-92.

Apostolou M., Shialos M., Khalil M., Paschali V. The evolution of female same-sex attraction: The male choice hypothesis. Personality and Individual Differences,2017, № 116, 372-378.

Bowlby J. Attachment and loss 1969, L.: Random House, Р. 265

Bowlby J.. Attachment and loss: Vol. 2 Separation. Pimlico. 1988

Brown J., Trevethan R. Shame, internalized homophobia, identity formation, attachment style, and the connection to relationship status in gay men. American journal of men's health, 2010, № 4(3), 267-276.

Bricker M. E., Horne S. G. Gay men in long-term relationships: The impact of monogamy and non-monogamy on relational health. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 2007, № 6(4), 27-47.

Brubacher L. Emotionally focused individual therapy: An attachment-based experiential/systemic perspective. Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, 2017, №16(1), 50-67.

Butler, J., Cornell, D., Cheah, P., & Grosz, E. A. (1998). The future of sexual difference: An interview with Judith Butler and Drucilla Cornell. diacritics, 28(1), 19-42.

Coletta A. M. Lesbian identity development: An attachment perspective. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. 2016

Cook S. H., Calebs B. J. The integrated attachment and sexual minority stress model: Understanding the role of adult attachment in the health and well-being of sexual minority men. Behavioral Medicine,2016, №42(3), 164-173.

De Beauvoir S. The second sex. In Social theory re-wired ). L: Routledge.2003, 354 р.

Feeney J. A., Noller P. Attachment style as a predictor of adult romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1990, 58(2),Р. 281–291.

Fraley R. C., Shaver P. R. Airport separations: A naturalistic study of adult attachment dynamics in separating couples ournal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1998, №75(5), 1198–1212.

Foucault M. Power: the essential works of Michel Foucault 1954-1984. Penguin UK, 2019

Gagnon J. An interpretation of desire: Essays in the study of sexuality. University of Chicago Press.

Gottman J. M. Gottman method couple therapy. Clinical handbook of couple therapy, 2008 № 4(8), 138-164.

Guzmаn-Gonzаlez M., Barrientos J., Gоmez F., Meyer I. H., Bahamondes J., Cárdenas, M. Romantic attachment and relationship satisfaction in gay men and lesbians in Chile. The Journal of Sex Research, 2020, № 57(8), 1026-1035.

Hazan C., Shaver P. Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. In Interpersonal development L.: Routledge. 2017. Р. 283-296.

Hooker, E. Male homosexuality. In Taboo topics . L.: Routledge, 2010, (pp. 44-55)

Johnson S. The love secret: The revolutionary new science of romantic relationships. Hachette UK. L.: Routledge. 2014. Р. 283.

Keleher J., Meifen W., Kelly Yu-Hsin L. Attachment, positive feelings about being a lesbian, perceived general support, and well-being." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 2010, № 29.8 Р.847-873.

Kurdek L. A. . Differences between heterosexual-nonparent couples and gay, lesbian, and heterosexual-parent couples. Journal of Family Issues,2001 22(6), 727-754.

Landolt M. A., Bartholomew K., Saffrey C., Oram D., Perlman, D. Gender nonconformity, childhood rejection, and adult attachment: A study of gay men. Archives of sexual behavior, 2004, № 33, 117-128.

LeVay S., Hamer D. H. Evidence for a biological influence in male homosexuality. Scientific American, 1994, № 270 (5), 44-49.

Lorenz K. Z. The evolution of behavior. Scientific American, 1958, № 199(6), 67-82.

Mark K. P., Vowels L. M., Murray S. H. The impact of attachment style on sexual satisfaction and sexual desire in a sexually diverse sample. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 2018, № 44(5), 450-458.

Mikulincer M., Shaver P. R. Attachment theory expanded: Security dynamics in individuals, dyads, groups, and societies. Guilford Press.2023

Mikulincer M., Shaver P. R. Attachment theory applied: Fostering personal growth through healthy relationships. Guilford Publications. 2023

Mikulincer M., Shaver P. R Attachment orientations and emotion regulation. Current Opinion in Psychology . 2019. 25, 6–10.

Mohr J. J. Same-sex romantic attachment. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.). Handbook of attachment theory and research L.: Guilford Press 2008 pp. 482–502

Mohr J. J., Fassinger R. E. Self-acceptance and self-disclosure of sexual orientation in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: An attachment perspective. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 2003, 50(4), 482.

Mohr J. J., Kendra, M. S. Revision and extension of a multidimensional measure of sexual minority identity: the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale. Journal of counseling psychology, 2011, № 58(2), 234.

Munson M., Stelboum, J. The lesbian polyamory reader: Open relationships, non-monogamy, and casual sex. Routledge, 2013.

Parsons J. T., Starks T. J., Gamarel K. E., Grov C. Non-monogamy and sexual relationship quality among same-sex male couples. Journal of Family Psychology, 2012, № 26(5), Р. 669.

Peplau L. A., Fingerhut A. W. The close relationships of lesbians and gay men. Annu. Rev. Psychol., 2007, №58(1), 405-424.

Pitts M. K., Fox C., Willis, J., Anderson J. (2007). What do gay men know about human papillomavirus? Australian gay men's knowledge and experience of anal cancer screening and human papillomavirus. Sexually transmitted diseases, 2007, №34(3), 170-173.

Plummer K., Plummer K. (1992). Modern homosexualities (p. 29). London: Routledge.1992, 347p.

Popa-Velea O., Diaconescu L. V., Ion F. A., Ştefancu D., Truţescu C. Attachment style and perceived discrimination: Associations with depression among young lesbian, gay, and bisexual Romanian adults. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2019 №36(10), 3259-3272.

Reed L. The coming out process for lesbian women: Implications for quest religious orientation and self-esteem (Master's thesis, Southern Methodist University), 2006

Rich A. Compulsory heterosexuality and lesbian existence. In Culture, society and sexuality Routledge.2002, 225 p.

Shaver P., Hazan C. Being lonely, falling in love: Perspectives from attachment theory. Journal of Social Behavior,1987, 2(2), 105–124.

Sroufe L. A., Fleeson J. Attachment and the construction of relationships. In Relationships and development(pp. 51-71). Psychology Press, 2013

Thurston H. U-hauling: A fantasy of queer codependency?. Capacious: Journal for Emerging Affect Inquiry, 2022, , No. 4, 51.

Van Der Voort A., Juffer,F., Bakermans-Kranenburg M. J. (2014). Sensitive parenting is the foundation for secure attachment relationships and positive social-emotional development of children. Journal of Children’s Services, 9(2), 165–176.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2025 Marianna Tkalych, Mariia Hrechanyk