Attachment and sexuality in adolescents

Attachment patterns internalized in childhood affect sexuality in adolescence.

During adolescence, erotic desire develops gradually, from pubertal eroticism in the early stagesThe emergence of erotic desire in adolescence gradually develops from the pubertal eroticism of the early stages to the more adult version of eroticism.

The emergence of erotic desire then translates into the search for new and often intense sexual experiences.

At the same time, adolescents see their affective bonds modified, a moment in which their peers (young people of their own age) gain special importance. Thus, the search for new sensations and the assumption of risks typical of adolescence coincide with the development of new affective bases of security, which is given together with the awakening of eroticism.

Attachment and sexuality in the stage of adolescence.

Both the attachment system and the sexual system are in a process of change, as are other systems at the Biological and social levels.as is the case with other systems at the biological and social level. However, the relationship between both systems (sexual and attachment) is of special importance in this period, due to their strong protagonism, in addition to the basic symbiosis that exists between them.

This is due to the fact that internal models of attachment (relational mental representations) are activated in the space of intimacy that comes with contact that comes with contact with other people, especially during shared sexual relations.

The two systems can enhance each other resulting in healthy, pleasurable and safe sexual relationships. This occurs when the person develops a predominantly secure attachment style.. In this way, adolescents who have positive affective relationships with their reference figures will be less dependent on the approval of others and will be less likely to engage in risky behaviors in order to feel accepted.

The development of a healthy sexuality

In line with the above, in a study we carried out at the University of the Basque Country, we observed that adolescents with secure attachment are the second group with the most sexual experience, after the insecure avoidant ones; however, they are the ones who show the least disposition to sexual risk.. This can be explained by the fact that those who have developed secure internal models of attachment explore the world and interpersonal and sexual relationships in a healthier way, taking fewer risks and managing the various contextual situations and their own internal states (psychological and affective) more effectively.

Conversely, the interaction between these systems can be dysfunctional, leading to risky and less pleasurable sexual relationships. So much so that subjects with high levels of anxiety and/or avoidance in attachment show greater disposition to sexual risk, as well as greater risk-taking in sexual relations..

Here it is worth clarifying the difference between (attitudinal) willingness to risk and the actual execution of risky behavior. Although those who are more disposed tend to assume greater risks, it is convenient to study both variables separately for a better adaptation of the interventions, as argued at the end of the article.

Anxious and avoidant patterns

Returning to the sexual behaviors of insecure adolescents, those whose profile is predominantly anxious will have a certain tendency to sexual relations not out of interest in the sexual experience itself, but rather as a way to please the partner and to satisfy their need for relationship and acceptance. This is related to their preoccupation with rejection and abandonment and their high dependency.

On their side, avoidant adolescents show at the same time the highest levels of sexual experience and willingness to take risks. This places them in a position of special vulnerability. This group could be using their sexual relations to escape or escape from an emotionally charged situation.. It is, therefore, the use of avoidance or stress reduction strategies through activities such as consuming alcohol and other drugs, engaging in sexual activities or a mixture of both.

In conclusion...

As can be seen in this short article, it is necessary to take into account affective, social and emotional aspects when studying and understanding our adolescents' sexuality.. In addition, this perspective allows for a more accurate tailoring of intervention strategies in terms of sexual therapy and education.

In this way, the distinction between the disposition to risk and the execution of risk behaviors allows us to know how to intervene before these behaviors are carried out, i.e., optimizing efforts in the preventive field, as well as being more accurate in sexological interventions.

Along the same lines, the available data support the work with fathers and mothers in the the work with fathers and mothers in the field of sexual and reproductive health promotion, given their affective and emotional role in the promotion of sexual and reproductive health.given the affective and regulatory role they play.

Therefore, by including the aforementioned aspects in educational and intervention programs, adolescents are encouraged to develop the necessary skills to manage situations of high emotional and erotic charge, also calibrating the influence of their internal models of attachment. This contributes significantly to the development of a more positive, satisfying and less risky adolescent sexuality.

Author: Borja Luque, General Health Psychologist and Sexologist at Vitaliza Psicología de la Salud.