Love addiction: Trait impulsivity, emotional dysregulation and attachment style

Abstract

Background and Objectives

Growing attention has been given in the last few years to psychological predictors of love addiction (LA)¹ broadening the understanding of developing effective therapeutic measures. Emotional dysregulation, attachment style and trait impulsivity were examined in this study.

Methods

Participants (N = 249) completed a survey assessing the predictors of LA: impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, attachment styles and the Love Addiction Inventory Short Form² (LAI-SF).

Results

Regression analyses indicated that negative urgency (NU), anxious attachment, and emotional dysregulation (impulse) all significantly predicted LA (p < 0.001). Moreover, impulse moderated the relationship between LA and negative urgency (NU).³

Conclusions

Further qualitative research is suggested to provide a richer picture to the current findings and the use of neural correlates to ascertain the neuro-biological basis of LA. The present findings may inform treatment plans and suggests the use of psychotherapy to identify indicators of potential LA, manage emotions and to avoid addiction replacement.