ATTACHMENT STYLE, THE REPRESENTATION OF DEATH AND HAPPINESS. A SURVEY CONDUCTED WITH UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITY OF PADUA

In Italy the transition to adulthood is constantly lengthening. Youths seem to be suspended between two polarities: a good capacity to adapt to social conditions versus an insecure attachment style. The inability to manage solitude, to accept personal limits and the limits of life show a tendency to dependence behaviours. The regressive adaptation to primary relationships is connected to anguish about death and to the Church’s incapacity to resolve it. Mikulincer e Florian examined the connection between attachment and death’s terror and they discovered that “secure” individuals are able to transcend terror at a symbolic level; “anxious” ones are invaded by fear; “avoidant” ones, even if they are able to dismiss anxiety, show that they haven’t elaborated it. The research on 1570 students reveals how their attachment style affects their attitude towards death; their choice of habitation; their beliefs; their civic engagement and wellbeing. The analysis confirms that “anxious” participants feel anguish about their own death, are afraid about other’s loss; are incapable of conquering independent beliefs and residence. “Secure” ones face separations calmly and develop a stronger civic sense. The “avoidant” individuals become independent through strong beliefs and refuse to be tied on to anyone and to any spiritual conception.