Attachment, Gender Role Conflict and Intimate Relationship in University Students

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship of Attachment, Gender Role Conflict and Intimate Relationship in University Students. Three scales namely Gender Role Conflict Scale, Intimate Relationship Scale and Adult Attachment Scale (Hazen & Shaver, 1986) were used in the study to test the main hypotheses. In the first part of the study two scales Pakistan Gender Role Conflict Scale, and Intimate Relationship Scales were developed. Factor analyses showed two factor solution for both scales. After that piloting was done. The sample of the study for the final analysis was 502 participants with the distribution of 286 (57%) men and 216 (43%) women. The mean age of the sample was (M= 20.14) (SD= 2.00). The findings of the study showed that secure attachment has significant negative correlation with externalized gender role conflict. Whereas, ambivalent and avoidant attachment have significant positive correlation with externalized gender role conflict. Moreover, gender role conflict is significantly positively related intimate relationship conflict. Also secure attachment is strongly positively correlated to intimacy in relationships. Whereas, ambivalent and avoidant attachment has significant negative relationship with intimacy in relation. Moreover, regression analysis showed that mother’s education and externalized conflict are predictors of intimate relationship. However, educational class along with internalized and externalized conflict also appeared to be predictors of intimate relationship. Moreover, attachment appeared to be mediator between gender role conflict and intimate relationship. Whereas, men and women have significant difference in terms of gender role conflict but there is no significant difference in terms of attachment styles and intimate relationships. Initial attachment effect socialization process that results in conflict while developing gender role. It further impact one’s ability to form and maintain intimate relations and these relational issues have vast implication in clinical setup. The results of the study were discussed in the light of cultural context of Pakistan and existing literature.