Risk Factors for Love Addiction in Young Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Topino Eleonora, Cacioppo Marco, Dell’Amico Shady, Gori Alessio
Primary Institution: Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta (LUMSA)
Hypothesis
Fearful attachment will be significantly and positively associated with love addiction.
Conclusion
The study found that fearful attachment is linked to love addiction, mediated by separation anxiety and maladaptive defense mechanisms.
Supporting Evidence
- Fearful attachment was positively associated with love addiction.
- Separation anxiety mediated the relationship between fearful attachment and love addiction.
- Neurotic and immature defense mechanisms were also found to mediate this relationship.
Takeaway
Some people can get addicted to love, just like some people get addicted to drugs. This study looked at how feeling anxious about being alone and using unhealthy ways to cope can make this addiction worse.
Methodology
332 university students completed surveys measuring love addiction, attachment styles, separation anxiety, and defense mechanisms.
Potential Biases
Potential biases from self-reporting and the lack of diverse participant backgrounds.
Limitations
The sample was predominantly female, which may limit generalizability, and the study used self-report measures, which can introduce bias.
Participant Demographics
332 Italian young adults (80% Female, 20% Male) with a mean age of 23 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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