The role of adult attachment and minority stress in isolating behaviors perpetration among lesbian and gay people in Italy

Abstract

Attention to Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence (SSIPV) has increased in the last decades. Isolating behaviors, however, have been poorly studied, despite the increased vulnerability to isolation experienced by gay and lesbian couples. The aim of the present study was to examine the independent effects of minority stressors (experiences of discrimination, perceived stigma, and internalized homonegativity), emotion dysregulation, and adult attachment dimensions (attachment avoidance and anxiety) on isolating behaviors perpetration. One hundred and forty-eight gay or lesbian individuals (Mage = 32.48; SD = 10.91) involved in a same-sex relationship participated in the study and completed a self-report online questionnaire. A multiple regression model was used to examine the relationship between the variables in the study. Only attachment anxiety was associated with isolating behaviors. In contrast, attachment avoidance, experiences of discrimination, perceived stigma, internalized homonegativity, and emotion dysregulation did not influence perpetration of isolating behaviors. The present study highlights the influence of attachment anxiety on isolating behaviors, suggesting the role of dysfunctional mechanisms of interpersonal distance regulation. The obtained results provide information at the theoretical and clinical level.

The Role of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance in Predicting Proximal Minority Stressors among Gay and Lesbian People in Italy

“…Specifically, both dimensions of adult attachment (anxiety and avoidance) were positively associated with internalized homonegativity. These findings are consistent with other studies on the same subject [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ]. On the one hand, the association between attachment anxiety and internalized homonegativity may be explained by the tendency of individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety to hyperactivate the attachment system.…”

“…However, it is possible that in particularly stressful situations, available resources are insufficient to limit access to negative cognitions and emotions [ 41 ], thereby promoting the expression of homonegative attitudes toward the self. These data are consistent with the results found in several studies on this topic [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ], although the study by Calvo et al [ 25 ] found that the relationship between attachment avoidance and internalized homonegativity was fully mediated by social support. Further studies are needed, also using more complex statistical models, as some of these relationships have only been tested at the bivariate level [ 26 , 27 , 30 ].…”

“…These data are consistent with the results found in several studies on this topic [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ], although the study by Calvo et al [ 25 ] found that the relationship between attachment avoidance and internalized homonegativity was fully mediated by social support. Further studies are needed, also using more complex statistical models, as some of these relationships have only been tested at the bivariate level [ 26 , 27 , 30 ].…”

“…Although there are few studies [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ] that have examined the hypotheses formulated by Cook and Calebs’ [ 24 ] integrated model, the data identified have demonstrated an association between attachment anxiety and avoidance and the level of proximal minority stress experienced. More specifically, several studies [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ] have shown a positive association between adult attachment and internalized homonegativity, while there are limited data on the impact of attachment anxiety and avoidance on perceived stigma. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, only one study [ 29 ] has investigated this association.…”