Investigated the relationship between personality characteristics, defence mechanisms and attachment style using Hazan and Shaver’s (1987) single item measure. Secure subjects scored higher on personal competence (California Q-set) and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and lower on psychological distress (California Q-set) than insecure types. In the Defense Mechanism Inventory, a measure of psychological defense strategies, there were no significant relationships for projection, reversal, principalization or turning against the object but secure subjects were significanlty less likely to use ‘turning against the self’ as a defense strategy. The overall results suggest a relationship between attachment style and ability to manage stress and anxiety.