Effects of Attachment Style on Preferences for and Satisfaction with Different Employment Contracts: An Exploratory Study

Based on the characteristics of three attachment styles—secure, anxious/ambivalent, and avoidance—hypotheses were derived for differences between them with regard to preferences for three employment relationships differing in whether employees are internal—hired and paid by an organization or external—employed through software houses. In addition, hypotheses were also drawn for differences in overall and facet work satisfaction. The sample consisted of computer science students of whom a large proportion have also been working in that field, and individuals employed as software engineers. Anxious/ambivalents were relatively higher in preference for the external contract and lower in preference for the internal contract, as compared to the two other styles. Contrary to the hypotheses, the avoidants did not differ from the secure style in expressing the highest preference to the internal permanent contract and the lowest to the external contract. Work satisfaction was highest among the secure style but contrary to hypotheses, the anxious/ambivalent group did not differ significantly from that group concerning overall, intrinsic, and extrinsic satisfaction. The avoidants were lowest on those measures. Findings are discussed in light of the different attachment styles and the unique features of the high-tech industry.