{"id":35016,"date":"2023-08-30T11:36:01","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T09:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/?page_id=35016"},"modified":"2025-06-12T15:00:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T13:00:36","slug":"sexual-orientation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/love\/sexual-orientation\/","title":{"rendered":"Sexual Orientation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-900 mb-5\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Sexual orientation is a big part of our identity: Our sexual interests are deeply personal to each and everyone one of us, and deserve to be loved and appreciated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Research into the relationship between our early attachment experiences and how we think and behave in adult relationships has been vast. But less attachment research has focused on the influence of our relationships with our caregivers on elements of our identity, such as sexual orientation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">So, to answer all of your questions on the topic of <strong>attachment styles and sexual orientation<\/strong>, this article will cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-600 p-3 mb-4 has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eae2f94d\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<ul class=\"mb-0 wp-block-list\">\n<li>A brief overview of how attachment influences romantic relationships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An exploration into the relationship between attachment and homosexuality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A deep-dive on the research about attachment and gender roles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The patterns between attachment, asexuality, and cupio romanticism.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-1000 mb-5\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-black-color has-text-color\">But first, a quick disclaimer as to what this article is NOT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center mb-0 has-black-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:23px\"><strong>DISCLAIMER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-black-color has-text-color\">Before we begin, it\u2019s important to state that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/four-attachment-styles\/\">attachment styles<\/a> are, by no means, solely responsible for our sexual orientation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-black-color has-text-color\">The majority of medical experts from the American Psychological Association (APA) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believe that our unique sexual orientations manifest from a complex mix of our biology, psychological makeup, and environmental influences. Furthermore, many scientists believe that our hormones and genes also impact our sexual identity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-black-color has-text-color\">So, while evidence suggests our attachment may be an influential factor in the complex jigsaw of our sexual orientations, there is no evidence that one causes the other, or that this is the only factor involved.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-100 py-4 mb-5 has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffe7cf4d\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center mb-4 has-text-color\" style=\"color:#333840\">Do you know your attachment style?<br>Take our attachment quiz and find out now &#8211; fast, easy, free.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n<a onclick=\"ga('send', 'event', {  'eventCategory': 'Hero Button',  'eventAction': 'Start Quiz'});\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/quiz.attachmentproject.com\/\" class=\"button-2 text-center\" rel=\"noopener\">Start Quiz<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-1200 mb-5\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group row justify-content-md-between justify-content-center align-items-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-md-7 col-sm-10 col-12 order-md-1 order-2\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mb-4 header-with-line-lg mw-500 ml-0 has-text-color\" style=\"color:#917dbf\">How Attachment Influences Romantic Relationships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s well-known that our early attachment experiences influence our later romantic relationships. For starters, how we were treated by our caregivers can shape our expectations within relationships.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/secure-attachment\/\">secure attachment<\/a> may expect positive experiences from relationships. They may also be trusting of their partner and comfortable with intimacy. In contrast, people with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/insecure-attachment-in-childhood\/\">insecure attachment style<\/a> typically struggle with aspects of closeness in relationships, and are generally untrusting of others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Our attachment styles can also influence how much satisfaction we get out of relationships and how stable romantic bonds feel for us.<\/strong> Secure attachers tend to experience high levels of relationship satisfaction due to their positive expectations in relationships, whereas anxious, avoidant, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/disorganized-attachment\/\">disorganized<\/a> attachers may feel like romantic relationships are more a minefield of stress and insecurity than a stable, satisfying experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what about our sexual orientation? Yes, attachment influences our experience of romantic relationships, but does it affect who we\u2019re attracted to, and our sense of sexual identity? Let\u2019s find out!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-lg-4 col-md-5 col-sm-8 col-10 mb-md-0 mb-4 order-md-2 order-1\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full mb-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"555\" height=\"927\" src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-min.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35037\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-min.png 555w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-min-180x300.png 180w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-min-449x750.png 449w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-min-150x251.png 150w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-min-299x500.png 299w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-min-400x668.png 400w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-min-247x413.png 247w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-min-66x110.png 66w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 555px) 100vw, 555px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-850 mb-5 position-relative\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center mb-4 mw-600 has-text-color\" style=\"color:#917dbf\">Does Our Attachment Impact Our Sexual Orientation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">In short, it\u2019s complicated. There has been no direct link found between attachment styles and sexual orientation. However, there has been some interesting research on the relationships between early attachment and:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-350 p-3 mb-4 has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eae2f94d\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<ul class=\"mb-0 wp-block-list\">\n<li>Homosexuality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gender roles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Asexuality and aromanticism<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">First, let\u2019s look at the research into attachment and homosexuality.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-1200 mb-5 position-relative\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group row justify-content-md-around justify-content-center align-items-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-lg-3 col-md-4 d-md-block d-none\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-md-8 col-sm-10 col-12\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mb-4 header-with-line-sm has-text-color\" style=\"color:#604c8d\">Attachment and Homosexuality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One study from the late 1990s suggests that some gay men and lesbian women experience difficulties in their early relationships\u2013but usually as a result of reactions to their sexual orientation. For example, this evidence found that some gay men struggle with relationship intimacy due to negative reactions from their friends or parents when they \u201ccame out.\u201d The negative reactions these individuals faced typically led to two distinct behavior patterns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"mw-650 mb-4 wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/anxious-attachment\/\">Anxious attachment<\/a>: offering high levels of affection but believing deep-down that they are unworthy of love or are likely to be rejected by romantic partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/avoidant-attachment-style\/\">Avoidant attachment<\/a>: feeling uncomfortable giving affection, typically avoiding deep intimacy.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>However, overall, <strong>the study found no significant causal relationship between insecure attachment and homosexuality<\/strong>. Therefore, this research shows that attachment insecurity may relate to how comfortable we feel with intimacy in our romantic relationships in adulthood, rather than homosexuality as a whole.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This pattern appears to crop up repeatedly within the research &#8211; evidence suggests that <strong>experiencing rejection from caregivers and peers as a gay man or lesbian woman is more indicative of insecure attachment than homosexuality<\/strong>. Furthermore, one study looking into sexual compulsivity, attachment, and sexual orientation found no significant relationship between homosexuality and anxious or avoidant attachment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-md-3 mb-0\">Find out more about how attachment influences intimacy in our article, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/blog\/casual-sex-and-attachment-styles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Your Attachment Style Influences Your Sex Life [and even Casual Sex]<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"block_a9e1c9356e544adbe19f7d68c96ea4b4\" class=\"d-md-inline-block d-none\" alt=\"\"\r\n     src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-1101-2.png\"\r\n     style=\"max-width:200px;position: absolute; top:20rem; bottom:rem; left:2rem; right:rem; z-index: -1;\">\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-1200 mb-5\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group row justify-content-md-between justify-content-center align-items-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-lg-8 col-md-7 col-sm-10 col-12 order-md-1 order-2\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mb-4 header-with-line-sm has-text-color\" style=\"color:#604c8d\">Attachment and Gender Roles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re probably wondering what we mean by \u201cgender roles.\u201d Broadly, gender roles are the stereotypes we face in society\u2013they involve how other people believe we should act, dress, and speak, based on the gender we were assigned at birth. Gender roles are thought to be one of the central facets of sexual identity, alongside sexual orientation, biological sex, and gender identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A study focusing on the potential relationship between gender roles and attachment styles found that stereotypical \u201cmasculinity\u201d was found to be more common in people who viewed relationships as being of secondary importance in life, with other areas like work, hobbies, and personal goals being prioritized over this. This quality relates most closely to the avoidant attachment style. Therefore, <strong>according to this study, stereotypical \u201cmasculinity\u201d is significantly associated with avoidant attachment<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study also found that stereotypical \u201cfemininity\u201d was most closely associated with people who required the need for approval from others. This is believed to be a fundamental quality of the anxious attachment style. So, <strong>in this study, those with an anxious attachment style tended to be more stereotypically \u201cfeminine.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it\u2019s important to say that beliefs about gender roles differ vastly between cultures. Therefore, while this Italian study found this result within an Italian sample of university students, this same relationship may not be present in every population.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, evidence suggests that men are typically more predisposed to an avoidant attachment style and women an anxious attachment style due to the current societal expectations and roles of each gender. Therefore, <strong>the association between insecure attachment and gender roles may manifest from our society as a whole, not our relationships with our caregivers.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-lg-4 col-md-5 col-sm-8 col-10 mb-md-0 mb-4 order-md-2 order-1\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full mb-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"651\" height=\"811\" src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327.webp 651w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327-241x300.webp 241w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327-602x750.webp 602w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327-617x769.webp 617w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327-600x747.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327-150x187.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327-401x500.webp 401w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327-400x498.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327-247x308.webp 247w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-327-88x110.webp 88w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 651px) 100vw, 651px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-1200 mb-5 position-relative\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group row justify-content-md-around justify-content-center align-items-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-lg-3 col-md-4 d-md-block d-none\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-md-8 col-sm-10 col-12\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mb-4 header-with-line-sm has-text-color\" style=\"color:#604c8d\">Attachment, Asexuality, and Cupio Romanticism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Asexuality and cupio romanticism are newer terms in history than homosexuality and bisexuality. <strong>Asexuality is the quality of experiencing no sexual attraction<\/strong> or feelings towards anyone, regardless of their gender. Yet these individuals may still want a romantic relationship and be physically intimate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast, <strong>cupioromantic people experience little to no romantic attraction<\/strong>. They may be sexually attracted to certain people but not want a relationship with them. Cupio romanticism is believed to sit within the spectrum of aromanticism, which is a broader term for people who don\u2019t typically experience romantic attraction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But how does this relate to attachment? Well, <strong>evidence suggests that aromantic (including cupioromantic) and asexual people may be more likely to have an avoidant attachment style than their heterosexual counterparts<\/strong>. This suggestion may sit in line with an asexual or cupio romantic person\u2019s difficulties around intimacy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-md-3 mb-0\">However, this research is still very much in its infancy. Much more research is needed to fully unpick the relationship between sexual orientations such as asexuality and cupio romanticism and attachment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" id=\"block_aaea695646ff5be489c2df11798c9eb0\" class=\"d-md-inline-block d-none\" alt=\"\"\r\n     src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-1102-2.png\"\r\n     style=\"max-width:180px;position: absolute; top:8rem; bottom:rem; left:2rem; right:rem; z-index: -1;\">\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-100 py-5 mb-4 has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eae2f966\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-1200 position-relative\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group row justify-content-center align-items-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-md-7 col-sm-10 col-12 order-md-1 order-2\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mb-4 header-with-line-lg has-text-color\" style=\"color:#917dbf\">Final Word on Attachment Styles and Sexual Orientation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When it comes to attachment and sexual orientation, there are no clear answers<\/strong>. Attachment doesn\u2019t appear to be related to homosexuality in and of itself, but our attachment styles may be influenced by our caregivers\u2019 and peers\u2019 reactions to us \u201ccoming out.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, attachment may relate to other sexual orientations, such as asexuality and cupio romanticism. Our early attachment experiences may also affect our gender roles in relationships, but more research is needed on this.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re questioning your sexual orientation or are wondering whether your childhood experiences have influenced your sexual orientation, know that nothing is clear-cut right now, and that attachment may only be a tiny piece in the puzzle.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-md-3 mb-0\">Understanding and appreciating your individual identity is the most important piece of this complex jigsaw.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group col-xl-3 col-lg-4 col-md-5 col-sm-8 col-10 mb-md-0 mb-4 order-md-2 order-1\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full mb-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"459\" height=\"783\" src=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-1-min.png\" alt=\"Final Word on Attachment Styles and Sexual Orientation\" class=\"wp-image-35089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-1-min.png 459w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-1-min-176x300.png 176w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-1-min-440x750.png 440w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-1-min-150x256.png 150w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-1-min-293x500.png 293w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-1-min-400x682.png 400w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-1-min-247x421.png 247w, https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Group-859-1-min-64x110.png 64w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mw-1000\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"block-wrapper py-4 \" id=\"block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450\" style=\" max-width: px;\">\n    <div class=\"d-flex justify-content-center\">\n        <button class=\"references-btn\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\"\n                data-target=\"#block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450-references-collapse\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450-references-collapse\">\n            References\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"references-text collapse mt-3\" id=\"block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450-references-collapse\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\">Carvalho, A. C., &amp; Rodrigues, D. L. (2022). Sexuality, Sexual Behavior, and Relationships of Asexual Individuals: Differences Between Aromantic and Romantic Orientation. Archives of Sexual Behavior.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Ciocca, G., Zauri, S., Limoncin, E., Mollaioli, D., D\u2019Antuono, L., Carosa, E., Nimbi, F. M., Simonelli, C., Balercia, G., Reisman, Y., &amp; Jannini, E. A. (2020). Attachment Style, Sexual Orientation, and Biological Sex in their Relationships With Gender Role. Sexual Medicine, 8(1), 76\u201383.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Barrell, A. (2023, March 30). What does it mean to be asexual? Medical News Today.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Fitzpatrick, J., &amp; Lafontaine, M. F. (2017). Attachment, trust, and satisfaction in relationships: Investigating actor, partner, and mediating effects. Personal Relationships, 24(3), 640\u2013662.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Flickinger, C. (2014). Sexual Identity\/Orientation in a Dramatherapeutic Context: An Attachment Perspective. [Graduate Projects (Non-thesis)] (Unpublished).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Nemours: TeensHealth. (2012). Sexual Attraction and Orientation (for Teens).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Ridge, S. R., &amp; Feeney, J. A. (1998). Relationship history and relationship attitudes in gay males and lesbians: attachment style and gender differences. The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry, 32(6), 848\u2013859.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Riggins, E. C. (1993). Sexual Orientation, Attachment, and Adult Relationship Quality. [Master\u2019s Thesis, Old Dominion University].<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Vollmann, M., Sprang, S., &amp; van den Brink, F. (2019). Adult attachment and relationship satisfaction: The mediating role of gratitude toward the partner. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(11-12), 3875\u20133886.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Weinstein, A., Katz, L., Eberhardt, H., Cohen, K., &amp; Lejoyeux, M. (2015). Sexual compulsion \u2014 Relationship with sex, attachment and sexual orientation. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 4(1), 22\u201326.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Zhu, N., &amp; Chang, L. (2019). Evolved but Not Fixed: A Life History Account of Gender Roles and Gender Inequality. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(1709).<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n    #block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450 p, #block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450 li, a{\n        color:;\n    }\n\n    #block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450 ul li, #block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450 ol li {\n        margin-bottom: 10px;\n    }\n\n    #block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450 ul li:last-child {\n        margin-bottom: 0;\n    }\n\n    #block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450    .references-btn {\n        color: #333840;\n        background: #C3AEF0 !important;\n        border-radius: 15px !important;\n        font-family: \"Family\", sans-serif;\n        font-size: 30px !important;\n        padding:  0px 28px!important;\n        font-weight: 700 !important;\n        height: 52px;\n        display: flex;\n        align-items: center;\n    }\n\n    #block_dc62e2ea0097b26027bf47e67312a450    .references-btn:focus {\n        border:none;\n        outline: 0;\n    }\n<\/style><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sexual orientation is a big part of our identity: Our sexual interests are deeply personal to each and everyone one of us, and deserve to be loved and appreciated.&nbsp; Research into the relationship between our early attachment experiences and how we think and behave in adult relationships has been vast. But less attachment research has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"parent":23220,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-35016","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sexual Orientation and Attachment Styles - Attachment Project<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Attachment influences our experience of romantic relationships, but does it affect who we\u2019re attracted to, and our sense of sexual identity?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.attachmentproject.com\/love\/sexual-orientation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sexual Orientation and Attachment Styles - 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