Emotionally Focused Therapy for Anxious Attachment in Young Adulthood
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Authors
Thakkar, Deeya
Issue Date
2026-03-24
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
anxious attachment , young adulthood , emotion-focused therapy , emotion regulation , attachment security
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone examines how Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) supports emotion regulation and attachment security in young adults with anxious attachment. Although EFT is a well-known attachment-based intervention, little is known about how its mechanisms apply to young adults (YA) whose attachment systems are still forming. Currently, the majority of the EFT literature remains focused on adult and couple populations. A variety of academic databases, including PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar, were searched to identify recent peer-reviewed research on anxious attachment, young adulthood, emotion regulation, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Studies were selected based on relevance, recency, and quality, and then analyzed using a thematic approach. This review found that commonly used therapies such as CBT, ACT, and CFT primarily target symptom reduction as well as intrapersonal processes, while EFT may offer a relational and emotion-focused framework that aligns more closely with attachment-based needs. The review findings indicated that anxious attachment in YA is shaped by developmental instability, identity formation, and high relational turnover, making EFT a strong candidate for therapeutic intervention in this population. However, gaps remain regarding developmental adaptations and cultural applicability. This review also emphasizes the significance of combining clinical practice, research, and policy to enhance therapeutic intervention for YA. This capstone concludes by highlighting the need for more research specific to this population and therapeutic intervention. It also emphasizes a need for culturally sensitive treatment strategies that close the knowledge gap between research and practice.