The effect of attachment styles and expressing emotions on emotional dependence in individuals in romantic relationships

Emotional dependency, attachment styles, and emotional expression are key concepts in studies related to romantic relationships. Attachment styles and emotional expression can influence an individual's emotional dependency within a romantic relationship. This study aims to examine the effects of attachment styles and emotional expression on emotional dependency in individuals involved in romantic relationships. Additionally, the data related to the study variables were compared based on gender, type and duration of romantic relationships, and evaluations of participants' relationships with their romantic partners and parents. The sample of the study consisted of 355 adult individuals from Turkey, including 180 women and 175 men, who were in romantic relationships. Data collection tools included the Sociodemographic Information Form, the Emotional Dependency Scale, the Three-Dimensional Attachment Styles Scale, and the Emotional Expression Scale. According to the findings, a very weak but significant positive correlation was found between secure attachment (a subdimension of attachment styles), positive and negative emotions (subdimensions of emotional expression), and emotional dependency (p<0.01). Emotional dependency, attachment styles, and emotional expression were compared based on gender, and significant differences were found (p<0.05). When emotional dependency, attachment styles, and emotional expression were compared according to the type and duration of the romantic relationship, significant differences were observed (p<0.05). Similarly, significant differences were identified when emotional dependency, attachment styles, and emotional expression were compared based on participants' evaluations of their romantic relationships and their relationships with their parents (p<0.05). The findings and analyses were discussed within the context of the relevant literature, and various recommendations for future studies were provided. Keywords: Romantic relationships, emotional dependency, attachment styles, emotional expression.