"Family Structure's Influence on Perspectives of Future Relationships" by Ashley Pearson

Family Structure's Influence on Perspectives of Future Relationships

Ashley Pearson, Monroe University

Abstract: Family dynamics significantly shape individuals’ expectations and behaviors in future interpersonal relationships. Based on a quantitative survey of 106 participants across varying demographics, this study explores how different familial structures (two-parent, single-parent, blended, or other) impact the development of secure or insecure attachment styles. Drawing on J. Bowlby’s (1969) Attachment Theory and expanded by M. Ainsworth (1978), the research assesses how these early attachment patterns continue to affect romantic expectations and emotional health in adulthood. It also examines the role of earned secure attachment and how therapeutic interventions, self-reflection, and supportive relationships can transform insecure styles over time. According to survey results, respondents from two-parent households are more likely to report having secure attachments, whereas respondents from blended or single-parent households exhibit greater fluctuation. However, a significant number of participants reported shifts toward secure attachment in adulthood, highlighting the possibility of change. This study provides a broader understanding of the relationship between relational outcomes, emotional development, and family structure in psychology and sociology.

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Introduction

Family structure has a significant impact on how people approach relationships in later life. Throughout childhood and adulthood, early emotional communication, consistent caregiving, and relationship modeling shape enduring patterns of intimacy, commitment, and trust. This paper presents research exploring how family structure influences college students' views on relationships. A quantitative survey was developed after assessing relevant literature on attachment theory.

J. Bowlby’s (1969) Attachment Theory serves as the main theoretical foundation for this investigation. The idea that early child-caregiver attachments create a "secure base" that affects emotional regulation and relational conduct throughout life was first introduced in the 1960s. M. Ainsworth (1978) expanded Bowlby’s research by classifying four primary attachment styles: “disorganized, avoidant, anxious, and secure.” These tendencies frequently continue throughout adulthood, impacting how people establish and maintain relationships.

While early experiences offer a relational blueprint, they are not predictive or permanent. Recent research shows that people can transition from insecure to secure attachment, a process referred to as "earned secure attachment." Therapy, self-reflection, and healthy adult relationships may all assist in bringing about this change (Pearson et al., 1994; Roisman et al., 2005). This study emphasizes the possibility for relational growth, as well as the lasting impact of early family experiences, by combining theoretical concepts with original survey data. For example, when asked to describe their parents' or guardians' relationships while growing up, only 37% of participants labeled them as harmonious, while the rest reported dynamics that were conflicted, distant, divorced, or complicated. These findings suggest that many participants were shaped by unstable or inconsistent emotional environments, yet nearly half reported evolving toward healthier attachment styles in adulthood. The study ultimately argues that while early environments shape foundational expectations, self-awareness, and support can significantly shift relational outcomes.

Attachment Theory and Family Dynamics

Attachment Theory emphasizes that a child’s internal model of relationships is shaped by their caregivers’ emotional availability and consistency. Trust, emotional control, and healthy dependency are hallmarks of stable attachments that children with receptive and caring caregivers tend to develop. On the other hand, insecure attachments are frequently formed by people who grow up in situations involving abuse, emotional neglect, or inconsistency (Bowlby, 1969; Ainsworth et al., 1978).

Ainsworth et al. (1978) identified three primary types of insecure attachment. An intense need for intimacy combined with a fear of being abandoned are characteristics of anxious attachment. Reluctance to depend on others and emotional detachment are characteristics of avoidant attachment. Relational actions that are inconsistent or unpredictable are indicators of disorganized attachment, which frequently results from trauma. These categories are fundamental to comprehending adult romantic and interpersonal dynamics and are generally acknowledged by psychologists.

Approximately 60% of kids grow up with safe attachments, whereas 40% grow up with unstable patterns (Ainsworth et al., 1978, p. 140). According to Hazan and Shaver (1987), these early tendencies translate into romantic conduct in adulthood. Adults who are securely attached typically report better emotional control and relationship satisfaction. Adults with insecure attachment patterns, on the other hand, frequently struggle with intimacy, trust, and handling conflict. The importance of early relational contexts in influencing subsequent relational behaviors is highlighted by these studies. But as subsequent studies show, early tendencies can change.

Survey Methodology and Results

Google Forms was used to distribute a 3-question, anonymous survey for this study (see Appendix A for survey questions). A convenience sample of 106 respondents was selected, which included undergraduate college students but also a variety of community networks. Since this was a classroom assignment that did not involve sensitive or identifiable data, IRB approval was not required and therefore not pursued by the researcher. Participants' attachment types, perceived emotional support, upbringing in different family systems, and present relationship experiences were all examined in the study. The goal was to compare theoretical insights on attachment with the lived experiences of a college-aged audience.

Key Findings

Secure attachment types were more commonly indicated by participants from two-parent households. Conversely, individuals from single-parent or blended households showed greater variance, with higher rates of anxious or avoidant attachment styles. For example, compared to 41% of respondents from single-parent or blended households, 64% of respondents from two-parent households self-identified as securely attached.

Further detail is reflected in Appendix B. Figure B1 shows that only 37% of respondents described their parents’ or guardians’ relationship during their upbringing as harmonious. The rest characterized their early home environment as conflicted, emotionally distant, divorced/separated, or otherwise complicated. These findings suggest that many participants were shaped by emotionally unstable or inconsistent relational models during formative years, which aligns with the prevalence of insecure attachment patterns reported.

Early emotional independence was frequently noted by respondents who grew up in less secure familial circumstances. Some considered this trait a strength, as it encouraged resilience and personal boundaries. Others, however, perceived it as a challenge, explaining that it made it difficult to trust others or commit to long-term relationships. This was further explored in Figure B2, which illustrates that the majority of respondents believe their family structure influenced their views on commitment and lasting romantic partnerships.

Participants also shared how their upbringing shaped their expectations in future relationships. Figure B3 shows that many developed an increased awareness of emotional needs and communication dynamics, either seeking to replicate the positive patterns they witnessed or to consciously avoid the negative ones. These expectations reflect the long-term influence of family dynamics on partner selection and emotional availability.

Notably, 47% of participants indicated that their attachment pattern had changed since adolescence. This change was credited by many to counseling, mentoring, or supportive romantic relationships. "Therapy helped me realize why I reacted the way I did in relationships," one participant wrote, continuing, "I started learning how to communicate better and trust more." Another stated, “Having a mentor who believed in me changed how I saw myself and others.” These personal accounts support the concept of earned secure attachment and demonstrate the potential for relational growth over time.

Overall, these findings reinforce the notion that while early attachment is significantly shaped by family structure and emotional environment, adult relational outcomes are also shaped by individual growth, support systems, and intentional effort. Figures B1 through B3 in Appendix B provide visual representations of these trends and enrich the interpretation of the study’s quantitative data.

Comparative Analysis with Existing Literature

The results of the survey complement and add to previous studies. Adult relationship types are a reflection of childhood attachment styles, according to Hazan and Shaver (1987). Through their studies, a fundamental connection between early caring and emotional closeness in adulthood was revealed. Similarly, Mikulincer and Shaver (2008) introduced the idea of earned secure attachment and highlighted the significance of emotional regulation in romantic happiness.

The term known as "earned secure attachment" describes how people with insecure attachment histories might grow secure relational behaviors as a result of having good life experiences. It was shown by Roisman et al. (2002) and Pearson et al. (1994) that one's attachment schema might be rewired through therapy, introspective practice, and supportive connections. Numerous survey participants echoed these findings, with many attributing their emotional growth to therapy or emotionally healthy relationships. “My partner helped me realize I deserved stability,” wrote one respondent. Another added, “Having a mentor who believed in me changed how I saw myself and others.”

Furthermore, relational expectations have been impacted by changing societal norms. Several individuals emphasized the disparity between generations, pointing out that their communication styles and emotional transparency differed greatly from their parents. This development demonstrates how changes in attachment outcomes throughout time have been influenced by heightened knowledge of mental health and emotional intelligence.

Implications and Future Research 

This research has implications for social workers, educators, and mental health professionals. Therapy procedures and educational initiatives can benefit from an understanding of how early family structure influences relational outcomes. Awareness of oneself is an essential first step. Finding one's attachment style can help one gain self-awareness and enhance interpersonal communication. There are systematic ways for people to reframe early attachment narratives through therapeutic therapies, including emotionally focused therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Non-clinical support systems, including mentors, close friends, and romantic partners, can also act as role models for safe attachment practices. 

Programs that teach students about healthy relationship practices and emotional control could be implemented in educational institutions. Communication, conflict resolution, and attachment theory workshops could support the development of emotional resilience in students from a variety of backgrounds. More diverse family structures and cultural backgrounds should be included in future studies, in addition to college-aged groups. Research that follows people over time could examine how attachment styles change in reaction to significant life events like parenthood, trauma, or career transitions.

Conclusion

Early caregiving experiences and family structure have a significant impact on how people approach relationships as adults. Attachment theory offers a framework for understanding the evolution of relational patterns and emotional security. Human development is flexible, nevertheless, and people can undergo substantial change. This study shows that although familial origin is important, it does not determine a person's destiny in a relationship. Individuals can transition from insecure to secure attachment if they have access to mental health resources, relationships of support, and instructional materials. Ultimately, emotional security is a result of conscious effort, support, and growth throughout life rather than just a holdover from childhood.

References

Ainsworth, M. D., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. N. (2015). Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Psychology Press.

Cummings, E. M., & Davies, P. T. (1994). Children and marital conflict: The impact of family dispute and resolution. Guilford Press. https://www.proquest.com/docview/219764265?sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals

Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(3), 511–524. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345051434_Romantic_Love_Conceptualized_as_an_Attachment_Process

Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2008). Attachment in adulthood: structure, dynamics, and change. Choice Reviews Online, 45(05), 45–2903. https://www.academia.edu/34596672/Attachment_in_Adulthood_Structure_Dynamics_and_Change_Mario_Mikulincer_PhD_Phillip_R_Sha_pdf

Pearson, J. E., Cohn, D. A., Cowan, P. A., & Cowan, C. P. (1994). Earned- and continuous-security in adult attachment: Relation to depressive symptomatology and parenting style. Development and Psychopathology, 6(2), 359-373. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231843405_Earned-_and_Continuous-security_in_adult_attachment_Relation_to_depressive_symptomatology_and_parenting_style

Roisman, G. I., Collins, W. A., Sroufe, L. A., & Egeland, B. (2005). Predictors of young adults' representations of and behavior in their current romantic relationship: Prospective tests of the prototype hypothesis. Developmental Psychology, 41(2), 325-338. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16096189/

Appendix A

NRHC2025 Proposal: Family Structure and Future Relationship Mindsets Survey Questions

This survey explores how family structure and dynamics may shape a person’s beliefs and expectations about future relationships.

The survey consists of questions about family relationships and personal perspectives. Your responses are completely confidential and will only be used to gather general insights. Please answer as honestly as possible, reflecting on your own experiences and perspectives.

1. How would you describe your parents' or guardians' relationship while you were growing up?

   
   

Mark only one oval.

• Harmonious: They communicated well and supported each other. 

• Conflicted: There were frequent disagreements or arguments.

• Distant: They were emotionally or physically unavailable to each other.

• Divorced/Separated: They were no longer together during my upbringing. 

• Cooperative but not close: They worked together but lacked emotional intimacy. 

• Varied 1: Their relationship changed significantly over time (Good to Bad).

• Varied 2: Their relationship changed significantly over time (Bad to Good).

• Other:

2. Do you think your family structure has influenced your views on commitment and long-term relationships?

   
   

Mark only one oval.

• Yes, I value commitment highly because of my family's stability. 

• Yes, I am cautious about commitment due to conflicts I observed. 

• Yes, I am more open to non-traditional relationship structures.

• No, my family’s dynamic didn’t significantly influence my views on relationships. 

• I’m not sure – I haven’t reflected on how my family influenced my views.

• Other:

3. How has your family dynamic influenced your expectations of a future partner or spouse?

Mark only one oval.

• I expect strong communication and emotional support in a relationship. 

• I tend to avoid conflict and seek harmony in relationships.

• I am wary of relying too much on a partner for emotional needs. 

• I prefer independence and personal space in relationships.

• I seek a relationship that’s very different from what I observed growing up.

• I don’t think my family dynamic has significantly influenced my expectations.

• Other:

Appendix B

Figure B1

Pie Chart Showing Results of Descriptions of Parents’/Guardians’ Relationship Duringthe  Respondent’s Upbringing

Figure B2

Pie Chart Showing Whether or Not Family Structure Influenced Respondents’ Views on Commitment and Long-term Relationships

Figure B3

Pie Chart Showing How Family Dynamics Influenced Respondents’ Expectations of a Future Partner or Spouse