This study contributed to literature suggesting that heterosexual and LGB relationships function similarly, and several attachment theoretical findings based on heterosexual samples profited from an empirical cross-validation with a mixed-orientation sample. "Research on gay male, lesbian, and bisexual (LGB) attachment relationships may provide empirical contributions to the generalizability of differential attachment, and to our understanding of how gender affects close relationships." (Peplau & Fingerhut, 2007) The emotional, physiological, and behavioral functions of the romantic attachment system do not vary based on the gender composition of the dyad.

1. Attachment Anxiety in Lesbian, Gay, and Straight Relationships Jarryd Willis, B.A. College of Liberal and Fine Arts, University of Texas at San Antonio 11 th Annual Spring Research Conference Thursday, March 24 th , 2010

8. ________________________ LGB romantic partner anxiety was greater than that for same-sex friends [F(1, 46)= 6.10, p = .017] but not caregivers ________________________