This study examined the impact of emotional intimacy and attachment anxiety and avoidance on intent to engage in and previous sexual self-disclosure among emerging adults in sexual relationships. Models tested emotional intimacy as a moderator versus mediator of attachment (in)security’s association with sexual self-disclosure. Moderation models showed attachment avoidance negatively associated with both previous and intended disclosure, although attachment anxiety had no significant associations, and emotional intimacy was not a significant moderator. However, mediation models indicated emotional intimacy mediated relationships between both attachment dimensions and disclosure outcomes. These findings offer insights into how individual and relational differences shape sexual self-disclosures.

Keywords:  attachment, sexual self-disclosure, emotional intimacy, sexual communication