Attachment, Self-Esteem and Shame in Emerging Adulthood

Attachment styles are critical to the organization and representation of self and for regulating emotions. 209students between the ages of 19 and 24 completed three self-report measures on attachment styles, self-esteem and feelings of shame. Males showed higher self-esteem and lower feelings of shame. In the entire sample, securely attached students reported a higher level of self-esteem and a lower level of shame than insecurely attached students. Moreover, this study showed a relationship between insecure attachment, low self-esteem and shame.The present study suggests the relevance of attachment styles and self-esteem for the understanding of feelings of shame among emerging adults.This can have important implications for the development of preventative measures to reduce the risk of a disorder.