Anxious Attachment as a Factor in Individual Survival in Toxic Relationships: A Phenomenological Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22373/fjpa.v4i2.1053Keywords:
Anxious attachment, Phenomenological, Toxic Relationship, Young AdultsAbstract
Toxic relationships are a harmful interpersonal phenomenon commonly experienced by young adults, yet the decision to remain in such relationships is often difficult to understand. One psychological factor believed to play a role is anxious attachment, a pattern characterized by fear of abandonment and a high level of emotional dependence on a partner. This study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the subjective experiences of individuals with anxious attachment tendencies who remain in toxic relationships. This study employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design. The participants consisted of three 19-year-old women who had experienced or were currently involved in unhealthy romantic relationships, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using phenomenological analysis. Four main themes were identified: unhealthy relationship dynamics characterized by emotional instability, overprotective behavior, and poor communication; emotional responses including sadness, overthinking, and fear of loss; factors contributing to staying centered on affection, hope for change, and temporary positive moments; and a process of self-awareness leading to personal growth. Anxious attachment was found to be a significant factor in maintaining individuals in toxic relationships; however, these experiences also open pathways for personal growth and a better understanding of healthy boundaries in romantic relationships.
Downloads
References
Adelia, D., & Subroto, U. (2023). The Relathionship of Self-Concept and Romantic Attachment Style in Young Adults with Broken Home. Journal of Social and Economics Research, 5(2), 968–978. https://doi.org/10.54783/jser.v5i2.203
Agustin, M., & Dewi, R. M. (2024). Regulasi Emosi pada Mahasiswa yang Mengalami Hubungan Toxic Relantionship. Jurnal Asosiatif, 3(1), 41–46. https://doi.org/10.47942/asosiatif.v3i1.1709
Ajeng, W., Panuluh, D., Hotifah, Y., & Simon, I. M. (2025). Dinamika Psikologis Mahasiswa dengan Toxic Relationship : Studi Fenomenologi pada Mahasiswa Perguruan Tinggi di Indonesia. Jurnal Pembelajaran, Bimbingan, Dan Pengelolaan Pendidikan, 5(8), 6. https://doi.org/10.17977/um065.v5.i8.2025.6
Ananda, P. Z. (2022). Hubungan Antara Kelekatan Tidak Aman dengan Komitmen pada Dewasa Awal yang Berpacaran di Surabaya. Jurnal Ilmu Psikologi Dan Kesehatan, 1(1), 21–26. https://doi.org/10.47353/sikontan.v1i1.206
Aurellia, F., & Arjadi, R. (2023). Hubungan Kelekatan Romantis dan Pengambilan Perspektif Diadik Pasangan dengan Kepuasan Pernikahan. Jurnal Psikologi Ulayat: Indonesian Journal of Indigenous Psychology, 10(1), 131–150. https://doi.org/10.24854/jpu609
Dewanti, H. P., & Setyadi, D. (2024). Hubungan Antara Gaya Kelekatan Dewasa dengan Toxic Relationship pada Mahasiswa Bimbingan dan Konseling yang Berpacaran. Katalis Pendidikan: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Matematika, 1(3), 164–176. https://doi.org/10.62383/katalis.v1i3.580
Dimas, A. P., Siswanti, D. N., & Ansar, W. (2023). Hubungan Kelekatan Orang Dewasa dengan Regulasi Emosi pada Masa Dewasa Awal. PESHUM : Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial Dan Humaniora, 2(6), 1133–1140. https://doi.org/10.56799/peshum.v2i6.2388
Farhan, A. R., Viona, S. W., & Alamy, S. A. (2024). Profil Gaya Kelekatan pada Remaja di Indonesia : Kajian Literatur Sistematik. Jurnal Psikologi, 1(4), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.47134/pjp.v1i4.2647
Gayatri, P. A., & Ariana, A. D. (2024). Insecure Attachment and Cyberchondria Among Early Adults : Health Anxiety As a Mediator. Jurnal Psikologi Tabularasa, 19(1), 46–58. https://doi.org/10.26905/jpt.v19i1.12485
Jundiyana, H., & Noorrizki, R. D. (2024). Kelekatan di Masa Dewasa Awal pada Individu yang Menjalin Hubungan Tanpa Komitmen. Jurnal Flourishing, 4(1), 21–30. https://doi.org/10.17977/10.17977/um070v4i42024p21-30
Kalamsari, N. S., & Ginanjar, A. S. (2023). Kelekatan, Resolusi Konflik, dan Kepuasan Hubungan Berpacaran pada Dewasa Muda: Model Analisis Jalur. Jurnal Psikologi Ulayat: Indonesian Journal of Indigenous Psychology, 10(1), 39–58. https://doi.org/10.24854/jpu507
Khalefa, E. Y., & Selian, S. N. (2021). Non-Random Sample Strategy in Qualitative Art-Related Studies. International Journal of Creative and Arts Studies (IJCAS), 8(1), 35–49. https://doi.org/10.24821/ijcas.v8i1.5184
Khoiriah, C. (2021). Gaya Kelekatan dan Emotional Abuse pada Dewasa Awal Berpacaran. Jurnal Psikologi Terapan [JPT], 4(1), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.29103/jpt.v4i1.9369
Mutiara, N. A. Y. U., Ariana, A. D., Psikologi, F., & Airlangga, U. (2022). Hubungan Gaya Kelekatan Romantis dengan Ide Bunuh Diri pada Dewasa Awal dalam Hubungan Pacaran. Buletin Riset Psikologi Dan Kesehatan Mental, 2(1), 548–554. https://doi.org/10.20473/brpkm.v2i1.34594
Nisa, U., & Selian, S. N. (2026). Pengalaman Self-Harm pada Remaja Putri dengan Kesehatan Mental yang Buruk. PIJAR PELITA:Journal Of Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Islamic Education, 2(91), 1–15. https://journal.pijarpelita.com/jpp/article/view/41
Nst, F. F., & Selian, S. N. (2026). Dari Luka ke Penerimaan Diri : Studi Kualitatif tentang Pengaruh Body Shaming Terhadap Pembentukan Harga Diri Mahasiswa. Journal of Comprehensive Science, 5(1), 107–121. https://doi.org/10.59188/jcs.v5i1.3910
Nurdini, F., Fazriani, V. E., Aini, M. F., Alfiyanti, S., Pertiwi, S., Latifah, S., Rianto, E., Prabowo, A. A., Wiguna, U. T., & Awalinda, G. (2024). Hubungan Toxic Relationship dengan Tingkat Stres di Kalangan Mahasiswa. Journal Nursing Research Publication Media, 3(3), 166–175. https://doi.org/10.55887/nrpm.v3i3.150
Nurlina, & Selian, S. N. (2025). Gambaran Regulasi Emosi pada Mahasiswa yang Mengalami Kecemasan Sosial. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora, 1(4), 2082–2089. https://doi.org/10.63822/j1datb39
Oktafiani, A., & Handayani, A. (2025). Mengurai Emosi: Peran Gaya Kelekatan dan Neurotisisme Dalam Strategi Regulasi Emosi. Jurnal Psikologi Ekspresi, 2(2), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.24176/ekspresi.v2i2.15790
Putri, S. W., & Nawangsih, E. (2023). Pengaruh Gaya Kelekatan Terhadap Perilaku Cybersex pada Emerging Adulhood di Indonesia. Bandung Conference Series: Psychology Science, 3(2), 991–997. https://doi.org/10.29313/bcsps.v3i2.7612
Saputri, K. N. K. A. N. E., Fitriani, D. A., Zahrah, S. A. A., Andryana, P. F., Ayuningtyas, I., & Firdausia, I. S. (2022). Teori Perkembangan Psikososial Erik Erikson. ECJ: Early Childhood Journal, 3(2), 77–87. https://doi.org/10.30872/ecj.v3i2.4835
Sari, N. A., & Wahyuning, S. (2025). Dampak Toxic Relationship pada Perilaku Sosial Mahasiswa Telkom. Jurnal Interaksi: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 9(1), 58–64. https://doi.org/10.30596/interaksi.v9i1.19595
Saskia, N. N., Idris, F. P., & Sumiaty. (2023). Perilaku Toxic Relationship Terhadap Kesehatan Remaja di Kota Makassar. Window of Public Health Journal, 4(3), 525–538. https://doi.org/10.33096/woph.v4i3.829
Selian, S. N. (2025). Ketika Rasa Sakit Emosional Berubah Jadi Luka Fisik: Memahami Self-Harm pada Remaja. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/397744685
Selian, S. N., Hasmalawati, N., Ramadhini, S., & Luthfia, F. (2025). Analisis Kelekatan Orangtua dan Gangguan Perilaku Anak : Studi Kasus Anak Tunalaras. Counsellia: Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 15(2), 151–166. https://doi.org/10.25273/counsellia.v15i2.23292
Septiani, A. A. Y. U., & Cahyanti, I. K. A. Y. (2022). Hubungan antara Gaya Kelekatan dengan Kepuasan Hubungan Wanita Dewasa Awal yang Menjalani Pacaran Jarak Jauh. Buletin Riset Psikologi Dan Kesehatan Mental, 2(1), 49–55. https://doi.org/10.20473/brpkm.v2i1.31925
Shaver, P. R., & Mikulincer, M. (2016). Adult Attachment and Emotion Regulation. In Adult Attachment and Emotion Regulation, 237–247. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309905037_Adult_attachment_strategies_and_the_regulation_of_emotion
Sumarjo, Tamu, Y., & Hussa, D. A. E. (2023). Komunikasi Antarpribadi Dalam Toxic Relationship Pacaran pada Mahasiswa Universitas Negeri Gorontalo. Jurnal Jambura Ilmu Komunikasi, 1(2), 63–81. https://doi.org/10.37905/jik.v1i2.69
Syafdana, N. N., & Gumelar, R. G. (2024). Fenomenologi Toxic Relationship Dalam Komunikasi Phenomenology of Toxic Relationship in Interpersonal Communication in Young Adult Students. PERSPEKTIF, 13(3), 628–637. https://doi.org/10.31289/perspektif.v13i3.11116
Syifa, Z., & Selian, S. N. (2025). Strategi Coping Mahasiswa Dalam Menghadapi Toxic Relationship di Lingkungan Pertemanan. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Indonesia, 3(1), 326–334. https://jurnalistiqomah.org/index.php/jppi/article/view/6095
Zhao, C., Ding, H., Ren, L., He, J., Du, M., Hu, H., & Shen, X. (2024). Testing the Associations Between Attachment Anxiety , Relational Aggression and Depressive Symptoms in Romantic Relationships : Actor-Partner Interdependence Model and Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediator Model. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 53(12), 2776–2788. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-024-02030-6
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rizqa Hafizha, Sri Nurhayati Selian
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
