Attachment Style Changes in Iranian Women under Domestic Violence, Subject to Divorce and High Marital Satisfaction

Attachment strategies in adulthood are shaped by relational experiences, both positive and negative. This study examines how such experiences, particularly domestic violence, divorce, and high marital satisfaction, influence attachment patterns in women. A causal-comparative approach was employed, with a sample of 228 women in Tehran, including 62 with high marital satisfaction, 82 experiencing divorce, and 84 in domestic violence situations. Participants completed the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Beck’s Depression Inventory. Findings indicate that women in the divorce and domestic violence groups exhibited significantly higher avoidant and anxious attachment styles, while those in the high marital satisfaction group showed a notable decrease in avoidance. These results underscore the role of life experiences in shaping adult attachment strategies, highlighting the potential impact of relationship quality on emotional security and psychological well-being.