Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Attachment Style and Less Severe Forms of Sexual Coercion: A Systematic Review

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Few studies have examined how attachment insecurity (i.e., attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance) is associated with the more subtle and less severe forms of sexual coercion, such as verbal threats and partner manipulation. This is despite the fact that past research has indicated some of the relationship behaviors exhibited by insecurely attached individuals represent behaviors indicative of either the perpetration or victimization of less severe forms of sexual coercion. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the association between attachment style and less severe forms of sexual coercion. Our search, which included published journal papers, book chapters, and theses published between January 1970 and October 2014, yielded 1091 records. Examination of these records against exclusion criteria yielded 11 studies that focused on the associations between attachment orientation and perpetration of sexual coercion (n = 3), sexual coercion victimization (n = 3), or both perpetration and victimization (n = 5). Findings revealed that attachment anxiety appeared to be more consistently associated with being the victim of sexual coercion than attachment avoidance. In terms of perpetration, attachment avoidance was more consistently associated with sexual coercion. These findings were observed when examining the association between attachment dimensions and motives for sexual coercion. The findings also revealed gender to be a moderator for victimization. This review provides insights into how attachment style may influence the perpetration and victimization of sexual coercion.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, E. S., & Baucom, D. H. (2005). Adult attachment and patterns of extradyadic involvement. Family Process, 43, 467–488.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arata, C. M., & Burkhart, B. R. (1996). Post-traumatic stress disorder among college student victims of acquaintance assault. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 8, 79–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Armitage, C. J., & Conner, M. (2001). Efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour: A meta-analytic review. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 471–499.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barron, S. R. B. (2011). Perceptions of sexual coercion: Understanding the role of gender, intimacy, and alcohol use. Retrieved from Proquest, University Mircoforms International Dissertations Publishing (3421331).

  • Bartholomew, D., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 226–244.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Birnbaum, G. E. (2007). Attachment orientations, sexual functioning, and relationship satisfaction in a community sample of women. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 24, 21–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birnbaum, G. E., Weisberg, Y. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2011). Desire under attack: Attachment orientations and the effects of relationship threat on sexual motivations. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 28, 448–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V., Higgins, J. P., & Rothstein, H. R. (2009). Introduction to meta-analysis. Chichester: Wiley.

  • Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment (2nd ed.). New York: Basic Books. (Originally published 1969).

  • Brassard, A., Darveau, V., Péloquin, K., Lussier, Y., & Shaver, P. R. (2014). Childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner violence in a clinical sample of men: the mediating roles of adult attachment and anger management. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 23, 683–704.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brassard, A., Shaver, P. R., & Lussier, Y. (2007). Attachment, sexual experience, and sexual pressure in romantic relationships: A dyadic approach. Personal Relationships, 14, 475–494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult romantic attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rhodes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46–76). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, K. A., & Shaver, P. R. (1995). Dimensions of adult attachment, affect regulation, and romantic relationship functioning. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 21, 267–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brousseau, M. M., Bergeron, S., Hébert, M., & McDuff, P. (2011). Sexual coercion victimization and perpetration in heterosexual couples: A dyadic investigation. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40, 363–372.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, N. L., & Read, S. J. (1990). Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58, 644–663.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Craig, M. E. (1990). Coercive sexuality in dating relationships: A situational model. Clinical Psychology Review, 10, 395–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crittenden, P. M. (1992). Quality of attachment in the preschool years. Development and Psychopathology, 4, 209–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crittenden, P. M. (1997). Patterns of attachment and sexual behavior: Risk of dysfunction versus opportunity for creative integration. In L. Atkinson & K. J. Zucker (Eds.), Attachment and psychopathology (pp. 47–93). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, D. (2006). Attachment-related pathways to sexual coercion. In M. Mikulincer & G. S. Goodman (Eds.), Dynamics of romantic love: Attachment, caregiving, and sex (pp. 293–336). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, D., Shaver, P. R., & Vernon, M. L. (2004). Attachment style and subjective motivations for sex. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 1076–1090.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Visser, R. O., Rissel, C. E., Richters, J., & Smith, A. M. A. (2007). The impact of sexual coercion on psychological, physical, and sexual well-being in a representative sample of Australian women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, 676–686.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeGue, S., & DiLillo, D. (2004). Understanding perpetrators of nonphysical sexual coercion: Characteristics of those who cross the line. Violence and Victims, 19, 673–688.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eagly, A. H., & Steffen, V. J. (1984). Gender stereotypes stem from the distribution of women and men into social roles. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 735–754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckart, G. W. (1996). Attachment dimensions as predictors of vulnerability to sexual coercion. Retrieved from Proquest, University Mircoforms International Dissertations Publishing (9608292).

  • Feeney, J. A. (2008). Adult romantic attachment: Developments in the study of couple relationships. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (2nd ed., pp. 456–481). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feeney, J. A., Kelly, L., Gallois, C., Peterson, C., & Terry, D. J. (1999). Attachment style, assertive communication, and safer-sex behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 29, 1964–1983.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feeney, J. A., & Noller, P. (2004). Attachment and sexuality in close relationships. In J. H. Harvey, A. Wenzel, & S. Sprecher (Eds.), Handbook of sexuality in close relationships (pp. 183–201). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraley, R. C., & Waller, N. G. (1998). Adult attachment patterns: A test of the typological model. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rhodes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 77–114). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frayser, S. G., & Whitby, T. J. (1995). Studies in human sexuality: A selected guide. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gay, L. E., Harding, H. G., Jackson, J. L., Burns, E. E., & Baker, B. D. (2013). Attachment style and early maladaptive schemas as mediators of the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and intimate partner violence. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 22, 408–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentzler, A. L., & Kerns, K. A. (2004). Associations between insecure attachment and sexual experiences. Personal Relationships, 11, 249–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gidycz, C. A., Coble, C. N., Latham, L., & Layman, M. J. (1993). Sexual assault experience in adulthood and prior victimization experiences: A prospective analysis. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 17, 151–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gladden, P. R., Sisco, M., & Figueredo, A. J. (2008). Sexual coercion and life-history strategy. Evolution and Human Behavior, 29, 319–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartwick, C., Desmarais, S., & Hennig, K. (2007). Characteristics of male and female victims of sexual coercion. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 16, 31–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. R. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 511–524.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hedges, L. V., & Olkin, I. (1985). Statistical methods for meta-analysis. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, J. P. T., & Thompson, S. G. (2002). Quantifying heterogeneity in meta-analysis. Statistics in Medicine, 21, 1539–1558.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, J. P. T., Thompson, S. G., Deeks, J. J., & Altman, D. G. (2003). Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. British Medical Journal, 327, 557–560.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, C. A., & Preston, L. K. (1996). Individual differences in the experience of sexual motivation: Theory and measurement of dispositional sexual motives. Journal of Sex Research, 33, 27–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Impett, E. A., & Peplau, L. A. (2002). Why some women consent to unwanted sex with a dating partner: Insights from attachment theory. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 26, 360–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalichman, S. C., Sarwer, D. B., Johnson, J. R., Ali, S. A., Early, J., & Tuten, J. T. (1993). Sexually coercive behavior and love styles. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 6, 93–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karakurt, G., Keiley, M., & Posada, G. (2013). Intimate relationship aggression in college couples: Family-of-origin violence, egalitarian attitude, attachment security. Journal of Family Violence, 28, 561–575.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Karantzas, G. C., Feeney, J. A., Goncalves, C. V., & McCabe, M. P. (2014). Towards an integrative attachment-based model of relationship functioning. British Journal of Psychology, 105, 413–434.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karantzas, G. C., Feeney, J. A., & Wilkinson, R. B. (2010). Does less mean more? A confirmatory factor analytic study of the attachment style questionnaire and the attachment style questionnaire—short form. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 27, 749–780.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, J., & Myhr, L. (2008). Perceived conflict patterns and relationship quality associated with verbal sexual coercion by male dating partners. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23, 798–814.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, J., & Tirone, V. (2009). Women’s sexual compliance with male dating partners: Associations with investment in ideal womanhood and romantic well-being. Sex Roles, 60, 347–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koss, M. P., & Oros, C. J. (1982). Sexual experiences survey: A research instrument investigating sexual aggression and victimization. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 50, 455–457.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krahé, B. (2013). The social psychology of aggression. London: Psychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krahè, B., Waizenhõfer, E., & Mõller, I. (2003). Women’s sexual aggression against men: Prevalence and predictors. Sex Roles, 49, 219–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lalumière, M. L., & Quinsey, V. L. (1996). Sexual deviance, antisociality, mating effort, and the use of sexually coercive behaviors. Personality and Individual Differences, 21, 33–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Long, E. C. J., Cate, R. M., Fehsenfeld, D. A., & Williams, K. M. (2005). A longitudinal assessment of a measure of premarital sexual conflict. Family Relations, 45, 302–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malamuth, N. M., & Brown, L. M. (1994). Sexually aggressive men’s perceptions of women’s communications: Testing three explanations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67, 699–712.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malamuth, N. M., Linz, D., Heavey, C. L., Barnes, G., & Acker, M. (1995). Using the confluence model of sexual aggression to predict men’s conflict with women: A 10-year follow-up study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 353–369.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, K. D., & Williams, M. C. (2006). Agreement about acts of aggression in marriage. Journal of Family Psychology, 20, 656–662.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Sullivan, L. F., & Allgeier, E. R. (1998). Feigning sexual desire: Consenting to unwanted sexual activity in heterosexual dating relationships. Journal of Sex Research, 35, 234–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schachner, D. A., & Shaver, P. R. (2004). Attachment dimensions and motives for sex. Personal Relationships, 11, 179–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schatzel-Murphy, E. A., Harris, D. A., Knight, R. A., & Milburn, M. A. (2009). Sexual coercion in men and women: Similar behaviours, different predictors. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38, 974–986.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaver, P. R., & Mikulincer, M. (2012). Adult attachment and sexuality. In P. Noller & G. C. Karantzas (Eds.), The Wiley-Blackwell handbook of couples and family relationships (pp. 159–174). New York: Wiley-Blackwell.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, J. A., Rholes, W. S., & Nelligan, J. S. (1992). Support seeking and support giving within couples in an anxiety-provoking situation: The role of attachment styles. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62, 434–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smallbone, S. W., & Dadds, M. R. (2000). Attachment and coercive sexual behaviour. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research & Treatment, 12, 3–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smallbone, S. W., & Dadds, M. R. (2001). Further evidence for a relationship between attachment insecurity and coercive sexual behavior in nonoffenders. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16, 22–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P. H., White, J. W., & Moracco, K. E. (2009). Becoming who we are: A theoretical explanation of gendered social structures and social networks that shape adolescent interpersonal aggression. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 33, 25–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spitzberg, B. H. (1998). Sexual coercion in courtship relations. In B. H. Spitzberg & W. R. Cupach (Eds.), The dark side of close relationships (pp. 179–232). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spitzberg, B. H., & Rhea, L. (1999). Obsessive relational intrusion and sexual coercion victimization. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 14, 3–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sprecher, S., Hatfield, E., Cortese, A., Potapova, E., & Levitskaya, A. (1994). Token resistance to sexual intercourse and consent to unwanted intercourse: college students’ dating experiences in three countries. Journal of Sex Research, 31, 125–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. B. (1996). The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2): Development and preliminary data. Journal of Family Issues, 17, 283–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Struckman-Johnson, C., Struckman-Johnson, D., & Anderson, P. B. (2003). Tactics of sexual coercion: When men and women won’t take no for an answer. Journal of Sex Research, 40, 76–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Testa, M., & Dermen, K. H. (1999). The differential correlates of sexual coercion and rape. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 14, 548–561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Testa, M., Hoffman, J. H., & Livingston, J. A. (2010). Alcohol and sexual risk behaviors as mediators of the sexual victimization–revictimization relationship. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78, 249.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tracy, J. L., Shaver, P. R., Albino, A. W., & Cooper, M. L. (2003). Attachment styles and adolescent sexuality. In P. Florsheim (Ed.), Adolescent romance and sexual behavior: Theory, research, and practical implications (pp. 137–159). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Bruggen, L. K., Runtz, M. G., & Kadlec, H. (2006). Sexual revictimization: The role of sexual self esteem and dysfunctional sexual behaviours. Child Maltreatment, 11, 131–145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, M., Russell, D. W., Mallinckrodt, B., & Vogel, D. L. (2007). The Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR)-short form: Reliability, validity, and factor structure. Journal of Personality Assessment, 88, 187–204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J. R., Ghandour, R. M., & Kub, J. E. (2008). Female perpetration of violence in heterosexual intimate relationships: Adolescence through adulthood. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 9, 227–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zweig, J. M., Barber, B. L., & Eccles, J. S. (1997). Sexual coercion and well-being in young adulthood: Comparisons by gender and college status. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 12, 291–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, Australia

    Gery C. Karantzas, Kellie M. Karantzas, Bengianni Pizzirani, Hilary Campbell & Ellie R. Mullins

  2. Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, NSW, Australia

    Marita P. McCabe & Kellie M. Karantzas

Authors
  1. Gery C. Karantzas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marita P. McCabe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kellie M. Karantzas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bengianni Pizzirani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hilary Campbell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ellie R. Mullins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gery C. Karantzas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Karantzas, G.C., McCabe, M.P., Karantzas, K.M. et al. Attachment Style and Less Severe Forms of Sexual Coercion: A Systematic Review. Arch Sex Behav 45, 1053–1068 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0600-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0600-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation