The Impact of Attachment and Emotional Needs on Romantic Motivation

Shawole Ai

doi:10.54254/2753-7064/2025.HT29223

Communications in Humanities ResearchOpen access

The Impact of Attachment and Emotional Needs on Romantic Motivation

Research Article

Open Access

The Impact of Attachment and Emotional Needs on Romantic Motivation

Shawole Ai ^1*

¹ Jiangsu Tianyi High School

^*Corresponding author: ssssshasha30@gmail.com

Published on 5 November 2025

CHR Vol.95

ISSN (Print): 2753-7072

ISSN (Online): 2753-7064

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-509-7

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-510-3

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Abstract

From the perspective of literature review, this paper explores how emotional needs and adult attachment types jointly predict an individual's romantic motivation. The research background stems from attachment theory and self-determination theory. This theory holds that early attachment patterns and emotional needs (such as security, belongingness, and self-worth) constitute the core foundation for establishing and maintaining intimate relationships. The analysis of the research subjects indicates that people with secure attachment characteristics are more likely to establish trust and commitment, thereby stimulating relationship motivation; while those with anxious or avoidant attachment patterns will inevitably face difficulties in emotional regulation and have lower relationship satisfaction. The satisfaction of emotional needs (such as autonomy, belongingness, and intimacy) significantly enhances relationship satisfaction and long-term commitment, while the opposite leads to a decrease in motivation. The research methods mainly rely on a systematic review of empirical studies, including questionnaire surveys and longitudinal observations. The research results indicate that the security of attachment and the satisfaction of emotional needs both support the development and maintenance of romantic motivation. The conclusion is that future practice and research need to combine these two aspects. Regarding the thinking viewpoints on attachment and emotional needs, especially in psychotherapy and partner training, efforts should be made to increase the degree of need satisfaction and enhance emotional response capabilities, thereby establishing healthier and more stable romantic relationships.

Keywords:

Attachment, Emotional Needs, Romantic Motivation, Psychological Well-being

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References

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References

[1]. Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2019). Attachment orientations and emotion regulation. Current Opinion in Psychology, 25, 6–10. https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.02.006

[2]. Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2022). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

[7]. Simpson, J. A. (1990). Influence of attachment styles on romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(5), 971–980. https: //doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.59.5.971

[9]. Feeney, J. A., & Noller, P. (1992). Attachment style and romantic love: Relationship dissolution. Australian Journal of Psychology, 44(2), 69–74. https: //doi.org/10.1080/00049539208260145

Cite this article

Ai,S. (2025). The Impact of Attachment and Emotional Needs on Romantic Motivation. Communications in Humanities Research,95,20-25.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceeding of ICIHCS 2025 Symposium: The Dialogue Between Tradition and Innovation in Language Learning

ISBN: 978-1-80590-509-7(Print) / 978-1-80590-510-3(Online)

Editor: Enrique Mallen, Heidi Gregory-Mina

Conference website: https://2025.icihcs.org/

Conference date: 17 November 2025

Series: Communications in Humanities Research

Volume number: Vol.95

ISSN: 2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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