What are the estimated percentages of different attachment styles in adults?

Adult Attachment Style Distribution in the General Population

Based on the most recent research, approximately 59% of adults have a secure attachment style, while 41% have insecure attachment styles (25% avoidant, 11% anxious, with the remaining percentage distributed among other insecure subtypes). 1

Distribution of Adult Attachment Styles

Research on adult attachment styles shows a relatively consistent pattern in the general population:

• Secure attachment: ~59-63.5% of adults
• Insecure attachment: ~36.5-41% of adults, further broken down into:
  • Avoidant/Dismissing: ~18-25%
  • Anxious/Preoccupied: ~5.5-11%
  • Fearful: Percentage varies across studies

Trends in Attachment Style Distribution

More recent research indicates a concerning trend in attachment styles over time. A meta-analysis examining changes in attachment styles among American college students between 1988 and 2011 found:

• Secure attachment has decreased from 48.98% (1988) to 41.62% (2011)
• Insecure attachment has increased from 51.02% (1988) to 58.38% (2011)
• Dismissing attachment specifically increased from 11.93% (1988) to 18.62% (2011) 2

This suggests a gradual shift toward more insecure attachment patterns in younger generations, which may have implications for mental health outcomes.

Clinical Significance of Attachment Styles

Attachment styles have significant implications for mental health and healthcare utilization:

• Individuals with insecure attachment styles (anxious and avoidant) are more likely to:

  • Access mental health hotlines
  • Seek psychological counseling or therapy
  • Receive prescriptions for mental health problems 3
  • Experience chronic pain conditions 4

• Specific insecure styles at "non-standard" (more severe) levels are associated with higher rates of clinical depression, particularly:

  • Enmeshed
  • Fearful
  • Angry-dismissive styles 5

Factors Influencing Attachment Style

Several factors are associated with adult attachment style:

• Sociodemographic variables (income, age, race)
• Childhood adversities, particularly those of an interpersonal nature
• Adult psychopathology
• Personality traits 1

Understanding the distribution of attachment styles in the population provides valuable context for clinicians working with patients who may present with relationship difficulties, mental health concerns, or chronic pain conditions that could be influenced by their underlying attachment patterns.