Developing a Model for Predicting Attitudes Toward the Opposite Sex Based on Attachment Styles and Value Systems with the Mediation of Attitudes Towards Love in Boys and Girls

Abstract

Purpose: Objective: This study aimed to develop a model for predicting attitudes toward the opposite sex based on attachment styles and value systems with the mediation of attitudes toward love in boys and girls referring to counseling centers and guidance offices of the Parents and Teachers Association of Tehran's education system. Methodology: According to the indicators and objectives of the research, this study was descriptive of a correlational type. The statistical population included all boys and girls referring to counseling centers and guidance offices of the Parents and Teachers Association of Tehran's education system in the years 2021-2022. The sampling method was multi-stage random, and the sample size was determined to be 350 based on the Sample Power software. Data collection was carried out using the Attitudes Toward the Opposite Sex Scale by Glick and Fiske (1996), the Attachment Styles Questionnaire by Collins and Read (1996), the Value Systems Scale by Schwartz (2006), and the Love Attitudes Scale by Hendrick and Hendrick (1986) on the selected sample. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software and SmartPLS structural equations. Findings: The findings of this study showed that developing a model for predicting attitudes toward the opposite sex based on attachment styles and value systems with the mediation of attitudes towards love in boys and girls referring to counseling centers and guidance offices of the Parents and Teachers Association of Tehran's education system had a good fit. The results of the direct path analysis showed that there was a significant positive relationship between the components of attachment styles, value systems, and attitudes towards love with attitudes towards the opposite sex. Also, the results of the indirect path analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between the components of attachment styles and value systems with the partial mediation role of attitudes towards love with attitudes towards the opposite sex. Conclusion: The findings indicate that many adolescents, due to their inclination towards relationships with the opposite sex, enter unhealthy relationships. However, due to strong attachment, they overlook problems and do not accept that these relationships are detrimental to them. The family plays a key role in many aspects of life, especially in how adolescents interact with the opposite sex. Understanding the types of attachment styles, value systems, and attitudes towards love in adolescents based on mutual understanding of their needs can predict attitudes towards the opposite sex within the context of family relationships and interpersonal interactions.