Relationship Self-Assessment
Adult Attachment Style Quiz
Discover how you connect, trust, and feel about intimacy in close relationships. This research-based assessment measures your attachment patterns.
What You'll Discover
Your attachment style influences how you experience relationshipsâfrom how comfortable you are with closeness to how you handle conflict and uncertainty.
- â Your comfort level with emotional intimacy
- â How much you worry about relationships
- â Your ability to trust and depend on others
- â Personalized insights and growth tips
How to answer: Think about how you generally feel in close relationships. If you're not currently in a relationship, answer based on past experiences or how you think you'd feel.
Your Attachment Profile
Based on your responses
Your Dimensional Scores
Attachment style is measured across two dimensions: anxiety about relationships and avoidance of intimacy.
The Two-Dimensional Model
Your position in the attachment style space. The marker shows where your scores place you.
What This Means For You
Tips for Growth
- Attachment styles aren't fixed. They can change with new experiences, self-awareness, and intentional effort.
- No style is "better" or "worse." Each represents an adaptation to life experiences. All styles can lead to fulfilling relationships.
- Context matters. You might relate to multiple styles or show different patterns in different relationships.
- About 50% of people have secure attachment, while the other half show various insecure patternsâyou're not alone.
The Science Behind Attachment
From the Research
"This article explores the possibility that romantic love is an attachment processâa biosocial process by which affectional bonds are formed between adult lovers, just as affectional bonds are formed earlier in life between infants and their parents."
â Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(3), 511â524.
Attachment theory, originally developed by John Bowlby to explain infant-caregiver bonds, has been extended to adult romantic relationships. The core idea is that the patterns we develop in early life for relating to caregivers carry forward into how we relate to romantic partners.
These patterns influence how comfortable we are with intimacy, how much we worry about relationships, and how we behave when we feel threatened or insecure.
From the Research
"Factor analyses revealed three dimensions underlying this measure: the extent to which an individual is comfortable with closeness, feels he or she can depend on others, and is anxious or fearful about such things as being abandoned or unloved."
â Collins, N. L., & Read, S. J. (1990). Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(4), 644â663.
Key Findings
- Adult attachment can be reliably measured through self-report questionnaires
- Attachment styles predict relationship satisfaction, communication patterns, and relationship stability
- Roughly 50-60% of adults report secure attachment patterns
- Attachment styles can change over time, especially through positive relationship experiences
How This Quiz Works
This assessment is based on the structure and methodology of the Adult Attachment Scale (Collins & Read, 1990) and subsequent research on attachment dimensions. It measures two core dimensions:
Attachment Anxiety
Reflects worry about relationshipsâfear of abandonment, need for reassurance, and sensitivity to signs of rejection.
Attachment Avoidance
Reflects discomfort with closenessâpreference for independence, difficulty trusting others, and emotional distance.
Your responses are scored on a 1-5 scale and averaged across items measuring each dimension. A score of 3 serves as the midpointâscores above 3 indicate higher levels of that dimension.
Note: This quiz provides original question wording inspired by validated attachment research. It's designed for self-reflection and educational purposesânot clinical diagnosis.
Modern attachment research recognizes four main attachment styles, created by crossing high/low anxiety with high/low avoidance:
| Style | Anxiety | Avoidance | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure | Low | Low | Comfortable with intimacy; trusts others; handles conflict well |
| Anxious | High | Low | Seeks closeness; worries about rejection; needs reassurance |
| Dismissive | Low | High | Values independence; uncomfortable with emotional intimacy |
| Fearful | High | High | Wants closeness but fears it; push-pull pattern in relationships |
From the Research
This four-category model was introduced by crossing positive/negative models of self with positive/negative models of othersârecognizing that the "avoidant" category actually contains two distinct patterns.
â Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226â244.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Attachment styles are not fixed traitsâthey're patterns that can shift over time. Research shows that positive relationship experiences, therapy, and increased self-awareness can help people move toward more secure attachment. Relationships with securely attached partners can be particularly healing.
That's completely normal! The four styles are categories imposed on a continuous spectrum. If your scores are near the middle on either dimension, you may relate to aspects of multiple styles. You might also show different attachment patterns in different relationships or contexts.
Not at all. Attachment styles aren't moral categoriesâthey're adaptations to life experiences. About half of all adults show some form of insecure attachment, and many have successful, fulfilling relationships. Understanding your style simply helps you recognize patterns and make more conscious choices in relationships.
This quiz is based on the structure and methodology of well-validated attachment measures like the Adult Attachment Scale (Collins & Read, 1990). However, it uses original question wording and hasn't been independently validated. It's designed for self-reflection and education, not clinical assessment. For a formal evaluation, consult a mental health professional.
Sharing can be valuable if done thoughtfully. Understanding each other's attachment patterns can improve communication and empathy. However, avoid using attachment styles as excuses ("I can't help it, I'm avoidant!") or labels to criticize your partner. Focus on how the insight can help you both meet each other's needs.
About This Assessment
This attachment style quiz is an educational self-reflection tool inspired by published research on adult attachment, particularly the work of Collins & Read (1990) and Bartholomew & Horowitz (1991). It uses original question wording based on the theoretical framework of these validated instruments.
What This Is NOT
- Not the official Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) â This is an independent assessment inspired by the research methodology, not a reproduction of copyrighted instruments.
- Not a clinical diagnostic tool â It cannot diagnose attachment disorders or mental health conditions.
- Not a substitute for professional evaluation â If you're experiencing significant relationship distress or believe attachment issues are affecting your wellbeing, please consult a qualified mental health professional.
Research Foundation
The two-dimensional model (anxiety and avoidance) used in this assessment is well-established in peer-reviewed research. The scoring methodology follows the framework described in published literature, using a midpoint (3.0) threshold to categorize high vs. low on each dimension.
If You're Concerned
If your results are causing distress or you're struggling with relationships, consider speaking with a therapist or counselor. Attachment-informed therapy can be particularly helpful for understanding and working through relationship patterns.