Attachment, personality and stability of romantic relationships among heterosexual women in Makerere University

Abstract

The stability of romantic relationships has declined all over the world, and particularly in Uganda where divorce rates have risen significantly. Factors that contribute to the decline in stability of these relationships in Uganda are under searched. This study aimed at finding a relationship between attachment, personality traits and the stability/satisfaction of romantic relationships among heterosexual women in Makerere University. This a/quantitative study was conducted using a cross-sectional correlational design. A sample of 200 purposively selected female graduate students of Makerere University aged between 22-45 years completed questionnaires assessing attachment, personality, stability and satisfaction of romantic relationships. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. The findings showed more whereas more women reported stability in romantic relationship fewer were satisfied. Attachment was the best predictor of satisfaction of romantic relationships, while length of the present relationship was the best predictor of stability of romantic relationships. Conclusions are that much as both attachment and personality can affect the stability of romantic relationships among women, being in a stable relationship does not guarantee its satisfaction. Future research should focus on factors that limit fathers’ involvement in their daughter’s lives as distant insecure attachment to father figures was found to predict relationship dissatisfaction in these women.