Does It Run in the Family? How Family Background Affects Attachment Styles for Students in Higher Education

Bent E. Mikkelsen, Anette Q. Romani, Inger G. Bo, Frantisek Sudzina and Maria P. Brandão
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Bent E. Mikkelsen: Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
Anette Q. Romani: Department of Sociology and Social Work, Aalborg University, Fibigerstræde 13, 122, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Inger G. Bo: Department of Sociology and Social Work, Aalborg University, Fibigerstræde 13, 122, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Frantisek Sudzina: Department of Materials and Production, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Aalborg University, A. C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
Maria P. Brandão: School of Health, University of Aveiro, Edifício 30, Agras do Crasto-Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-10

Abstract: Background: Socioeconomic background has traditionally been the most important determinant of an individual’s social advantage. Studies have used social class and opportunities based on parental income and education to predict such advantage. There is limited evidence that stratification mechanisms other than socioeconomic background can play an important role. The purpose of the study is to examine the influence of the traditional factors (income and education) of family background on students’ social attachment styles compared to other background variables (civil status and number of children). Methods: We used the Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire as an outcome measure to assess students’ social attachment advantage. As a point of departure, we use theories of social psychology to categorize social relations in terms of secure or insecure bonding, respectively. Results: A cross-sectional data set of 912 university students from five European countries was used. With respect to social attachment, the likelihood of being a student with robust relations increases by 23% if the students have high-income parents. Students with robust relations also have a decreased likelihood of poor body self-esteem by 19% when compared with other students. Conclusions: Stratification mechanisms other than social class, such as parental characteristics, civil status, and number of siblings, all affect the privileged students’ social relations.

Keywords: social attachment; universities; students; family (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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