Examining the impact of emotional intelligence and attachment style on loneliness Alisha Azad Maldar * and Monalisa Nayak

Background: Loneliness is a prevalent psychological phenomenon with significant implications for mental health and well-being. Attachment theory posits that early attachment experiences shape individuals' interpersonal relationships and emotional experiences throughout life, potentially influencing susceptibility to loneliness. However, the relationship between attachment styles and loneliness remains underexplored, particularly in the context of diverse populations. Additionally, emotional quotient (EQ), which encompasses the ability to perceive, understand, regulate, and utilize emotions effectively, may play a crucial role in mitigating loneliness by facilitating adaptive coping strategies and fostering meaningful social connections.
Methods: This quantitative study examined the relationship between attachment styles and loneliness among 103 participants. Attachment styles were assessed using Revised Adult Attachment Scale, emotional quotient using Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale, while loneliness was measured using UCLA Loneliness Scale. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to assess differences in loneliness scores across attachment styles, followed by post-hoc comparisons to elucidate specific patterns. Pearson’s correlation was used to find the correlation between emotional quotient and loneliness.
Results: The results revealed a significant difference in loneliness scores across attachment styles (F =8.644, p < 0.001). Post-hoc comparisons indicated that individuals with secure attachment styles reported significantly lower levels of loneliness compared to those with dismissive, preoccupied, and fearful attachment styles. Specifically, individuals with secure attachment styles reported a mean loneliness score of 17 (SD = 16), while those with dismissive attachment styles reported the highest mean loneliness score of 35 (SD = 12). There is a statistically significant correlation between Loneliness and Emotional Quotient with p value 0.001 at 5% level of significance. The r value is -0.486 which means that there is negative moderate correlation.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of considering attachment styles and emotional quotient in understanding individuals' experiences of loneliness. Individuals with secure attachment styles appear to be less vulnerable to loneliness, while those with insecure attachment styles are more likely to experience higher levels of loneliness. There is negative moderate correlation between emotional quotient and loneliness, i.e., as the emotional quotient increases, loneliness decreases. Future research may explore the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions aimed at promoting secure attachment and improving emotional quotient to reduce loneliness among vulnerable populations.