The relationship between attachment styles, tolerance for uncertainty and psychological well-beings

The change and transformation of the social structure that occurred with the emergence of the industrial society also affected the human development processes. Although it changes from culture to culture, especially in Western societies, the signs of transition to adulthood have been carried to later ages and a new period has been defined between adolescence and adulthood with the name of emerging adulthood. Although the existence of this period, in which variability and uncertainty is very intense, is known in our country, it is a new area that has not been studied much. Emerging adults are more disadvantaged in the face of uncertainty. In cases where uncertainty is not tolerated, individuals' anxiety levels will increase and their psychological well-being will also be affected. Individuals who cannot tolerate uncertainty will experience a decrease in their psychological well-being. However, psychological well-being is affected by the permanent tendencies of individuals. Adult attachment, which has a biological aspect and develops on the basis of the bond established with the caregiver in childhood, shapes a person's life in many ways. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine the intolerance of uncertainty and psychological well-being of individuals in adulthood that appear depending on their attachment styles. The sample to be studied was created with the sampling method, which could be found among the non-probability sampling types. The research sample consists of 460 people in the emerging adult period between the ages of 19-26. Data were collected using an online survey link from social media platforms by using Personal Information Form, Psychological Well-Being Scales, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale and Relationship Scales Questionnaire as data collection tools. Data analysis was done with SPSS-22 program. Considering the findings, secure attachment predicted all sub-dimensions of psychological well-being positively and significantly. While fearful attachment predicted positive relationships with others in a negative way; predicted prospective anxiety and inhibitory anxiety positively and significantly. Indifferent attachment negatively predicted positive relationships with others and individual development; It predicted autonomy, prospective anxiety and inhibitory anxiety positively and significantly. While preoccupied attachment predicted environmental dominance and autonomy negatively; predicted prospective anxiety and inhibitory anxiety positively and significantly. Significant differences were also observed according to demographic variables. The findings were discussed in the light of the related literature.