Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of attachment and emotional intelligence styles of emerging population of young adults, with a previous history in a care setting, in comparison with a control group of students not in care. Two independent groups of participants were included in the research, involving 69 participants. The experimental group (a) Focus = 27 (previous history in care) measured against a control group (b) Students = 42. Two self- report questionnaires were used in the study. Attachment types were measured using the inventory of parents and peer attachment (IPPA). Emotional intelligence was tested using the emotional inventory (EQI). A demographic questionnaire was used in particular to examine the variables, education, employment status and living arrangements. It was predicted that there would be a significant difference for the experimental group (a) Focus, in indicating more insecure attachments and less well adapted in emotional intelligence. The findings in this study support the hypoFinal Year Project although a limitation for this study was due to the small sample. However this study points to interesting new areas for further research understanding the linear effect of insecure attachments and emotional intelligence and the effects of disadvantages.
