The Influence of Adult Attachment on Emotional Intimacy in ‘Some’ and Romantic Relationships: The role of self-disclosure and caregiving behavior

Objectives: The present study investigated the influence of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on emotional intimacy in some (Korean word for informal, pre-relationship mutual attraction) relationships and romantic relationships, and the mediating role of caregiving behavior and self-disclosure. Methods: A sample of 370 unmarried young adults aged 18 to 39, who were engaged in either a some relationship or a romantic relationship, participated in the study. Data were collected via self-report questionnaires and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: In both the some and romantic relationship groups, attachment anxiety had a mediating effect on emotional intimacy through caregiving behavior. However, with attachment avoidance, the romantic relationship group had an effect on emotional intimacy through self-disclosure as well as through self-disclosure and caregiving behavior, sequentially. In the some relationship group however, the attachment avoidance influenced emotional intimacy through self-disclosure only. Conclusions: Implications of findings regarding understandings and interventions for clients who experience difficulty with emotional intimacy whether in some or romantic relationship are discussed. Strengths and limitations of the study, as well as suggestions for future investigation, were also included in the discussion.