Relationship between Adult Attachment Styles and Psychological Well-Being among adults who were raised in children’s homes in Kenya

Abstract

The vulnerability to mental health disorder among the care leavers primarily start at the facilities they have been brought up. The study focused on establishing the relationship between adult attachment styles and psychological well-being among adults raised in children’s homes in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to: find out the adult attachment styles of adult raised in children’s homes in Kenya; assess their psychological well-being; find out gender differences in the adult attachment styles and psychological well-being; and determine the relationship between adult attachment and psychological well-being of the adults who were raised in children’s homes in Kenya. Descriptive correlational survey research design was used and sample size of 294 respondents participated. The results of the study showed that anxious attachment style was the most prevalent adult attachment style among the care leavers (M = 16.09, SD = 6.24). On psychological well-being, the environmental mastery was the highest scored (M = 23.46, SD = 7.47) then personal growth (M = 23.14 (SD = 7.52). A significant gender differences in adult attachment and psychological well-being, Wilks Lambda = 0.92, F = (3, 290) = 8.85, p < 0.001 and Wilks’ Lambda = 0.93, F (6,287) = 3.47, p = 0.03 respectively were established. A significant relationships between secure attachment (r = 0.163, p = 0.005), avoidant attachment (r = 0.18, p = 0.02) and environmental mastery were established. The study recommends that KESCA should provide psychological support for care leavers or liaise with public health facilities for support.