Dinámicas del apego y la sexualidad en adultos jóvenes.

Abstract

This review analyzes how adult attachment influences sexuality in young adults, according to recent evidence. In early adulthood, the attachment system undergoes a shift: the romantic partner replaces primary caregivers as the source of a secure base. Within this context, both sexual functioning and the subjective erotic experience are transformed. A total of 30 sources were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycNet, primarily comprising empirical studies published between 2016 and 2026 involving samples aged 18 to 35, complemented by seminal theoretical works and foundational earlier studies. Attachment anxiety intensifies the pursuit of sexual contact to confirm relational bonds. Conversely, attachment avoidance leads to emotional withdrawal and the avoidance of sexual contact, predicting lower sexual satisfaction with higher consistency, though this effect varies by gender. Emotional regulation modulates how desire is experienced, sexual communication facilitates the negotiation of erotic encounters, and underlying motivations determine what is sought through sexual behavior, collectively serving as the bridges between attachment and sexual experience. Attachment insecurity does not dictate an individual's sexual fate; however, it does limit the possibilities of experiencing full erotic intimacy. Ultimately, relational security allows such intimacy to unfold more authentically.