Links early attachment problems to paraasocial relationships
Bowlby'sattachment theory suggests that early difficulties in attachment may lead to difficulties in forming successful relationships later in life
Such difficulties may lead to a preference for parasocial relationships to replace those within one's own social circle as parasocial relationships do not require the same socialskills
Insecure attachment types are linked to parasocial relationships
Ainsworth identified two attachment types associated with unhealthyemotional development: insecure-resistant and insecure-avoidant
Insecure-resistant types are most likely to form parasocial relationships because they want to have their unfulfilled needs met in a relationship where there is no real threat of rejection
Insecure-avoidant types prefer to avoid the pain and rejection of any type of relationship, either social or parasocial