Attachment Styles in Relation to Leadership Preference Among Adolescents and Adults

This research study investigates the nature of relationship between attachment styles and leadership preference across two developmental stages of human life i.e. adolescents and adults. The study incorporated correlational and comparative research framework 128 individuals (63 adolescents and 65 adults) from educational set-up were comprised as participants. For assessing the attachment style, the CaMir-R scale (Balluerka et al., 2011) was utilized and, for measuring the leadership preference, the Leadership Preference Scale (Singh, 2010), which is adapted from Fieldler’s contingency framework was used. The statistical analysis was done using Pearson product-moment correlation and one –way ANOVA to explore the relationships and observe the group differences. The result findings indicated that secure attachment was positively associated with leadership preference, whereas the avoidant attachment style showed a weak but significant negative relationship. Anxious attachment did not demonstrate a significant association. Adolescents reported significantly higher anxious and avoidant attachment in comparison to adults; although, no significant difference in leadership preference was found between the two age groups. These discoveries suggest that even though the leadership orientation may remain relatively stable across these two development stages, attachment-related emotional and mental patterns evolve with time. This study helps to enrich the literature that traces relationships between developmental psychology with leadership research through elucidating the role of early relational schemas in shaping leadership tendencies.