WHY MIDDLE-BORN MARRIED ADULTS STRUGGLE WITH IDENTITY: THE ROLE OF ATTACHMENT INSECURITY

Abstract

The current study aims to examine the connection between attachment insecurity and identity distress in middle-born married adults. Traditionally, identity formation occurs during the adolescent stage, but new research shows that the self-concept will continue to be developed during adulthood, especially through the influence of marriage and family dynamics. Middle-born adult individuals typically develop into negotiating individuals, and because they are often thought of as "second class" citizens within their family structures, they may experience more identity confusion than their older or younger counterparts when experiencing attachment insecurities. A cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling were used to gather data from a total of 228 middle-born married adults. Each participant completed the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) to measure attachment anxiety and avoidance, and the Identity Distress Survey (IDS) to measure psychological distress concerning one's long-term goals and roles. Results of a Pearson correlation analysis showed a moderate positive correlation (r = .412, p < .001) between attachment insecurity and identity distress. Additionally, the results of a linear regression analysis indicated that attachment insecurity is a statistically significant predictor of identity distress and accounted for 16.9% of the variance in identity distress. These results highlight that a secure marital attachment serves as an essential base for a stable identity for middle-born adults. The need for therapeutic intervention, such as Attachment Repair, to support this group in integrating their individual identity within the context of their relationships, is indicated by these findings.

Keywords: Attachment Insecurity, Identity Distress, Middle-born, Marriage, Self-concept, Birth Order.