Intimacy and Attachment in Adolescent Relationships

From an attachment theory framework this study investigated the relationship of working models of self and other to the experience of intimacy conceptualised as a multidimensional phenomena. It was hypothesised that more self disclosure and increased intimacy goals would be associated with a positive model of other and that a positive model of self would be associated with greater levels of receiving disclosure and perceiving a partner to be responsive. Using a cross sectional sample of upper high school students (N=265) the results provided support for the view that the model of other primarily influences intimacy goals and self disclosure. Partial support was found for the effect of the model of self on eliciting disclosure from others and perceptions of partner responsiveness. The results are discussed in the context of multidimensional models of intimacy and adolescent psychosocial development. Intimacy is argued to be an important influence on relationship quality, and its presence in relationships gives a sense of ‘belonging’ to the individuals involved (Sprecher & Hendrick, 2004). When intimacy occurs with another person it produces positive affect states, such as happiness, feelings of closeness and being validated and cared for (Reis & Shaver, 1988). Conversely, a lack of intimacy in relationships can lead to feelings of depression, low relationship satisfaction, and loneliness (Sprecher & Hendrick, 2004). Despite the evidence that intimacy is associated with many benefits, people differ in the extent to which they desire intimacy in their relationships (Bartholomew, 1990). Attachment theory has recently been proposed as a theoretical framework to explain individual differences in experiencing intimacy (Prager, 2000). Bowlby (1980) proposed that the early care given to an infant is internalised to produce cognitive representations of the self and others, and these ‘working models’ continue to influence the interpretation of behaviour in interpersonal relationships across the lifespan. Weis (1982) argued that important changes occur in adolescent relationships with regard to both intimacy and attachment; and that peer relationships become of increasing importance. Both adolescents and adults believe closeness, sharing and revealing private information are the most important aspects of intimacy (Monsour, 1992). According to Reis and Shaver’s (1988) ‘transactional’ model, intimacy is a process where one person ‘discloses’ information, and the listener responds in a way which produces feelings of validation and support. At each point in this process both partner’s goals, expectations and beliefs regarding interpersonal behaviour influence how each interaction is perceived and interpreted. Researchers (e.g., Grabill & Kerns, 2000; Sprecher & Hendrick, 2004) have now adopted the model proposed by Reis and Shaver (1988) by using multiple measures of intimacy to capture the different processes involved. A central concept of attachment theory is that working models influence the perceptions one holds of the behaviour of others in interpersonal experiences. The model proposed by Reis and Shaver (1988) allows the specific stages of the intimacy process, where working models of other and self can influence an individual’s motivation for intimacy and the interpretation of a partner’s behaviour, to be identified. Attachment working models of other