Attachment styles and problematic involvement in potentially addictive behaviours: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Attachment theory has been increasingly used to understand vulnerability to potentially addictive behaviours. However, it remains unclear whether attachment styles show comparable associations across formally recognized addictions and other problematic behaviours. This systematic review synthesised peer-reviewed evidence published before July 23rd, 2026 on the associations between attachment styles and problematic involvement in a broad range of behaviours formally or informally described as addictions. Two hundred fifty-one studies were included in the descriptive synthesis and 188 were eligible for meta-analysis. Weighted mean Pearson r correlations were calculated for 48 attachment-behaviour combinations, showing effects in the small-to-moderate range. Anxious attachment emerged as the most robust and frequently observed correlate, showing stronger positive associations with problematic texting, smartphone use, and social media use. Secure attachment was generally associated with lower levels of problematic engagement, whereas avoidant and fearful attachment displayed more variable patterns and weaker associations across behaviours. Overall heterogeneity across analyses was low. Taken together, these findings indicate that shared psychological vulnerabilities associated with attachment styles may partly explain problematic engagement in potentially addictive behaviours. At the same time, differences in the strength and patterns of associations suggest different psychological functions may be served by various addictive behaviours. Clinical implications for assessment and treatment are discussed, along with theoretical considerations.