Attachment is a foundational theory in human development. Our understanding of this deep structure construct has remained somewhat inadequate when considering the changes of normal developmental stages across the adult life span. Trait emotional intelligence, also considered a deep structure construct, has consistently been linked to attachment processes in the literature. Within a variety of fields, secondary education, clinical psychology, and organizational psychology to name a few, gaining a clearer understanding of how differentially activated (emotionally charged) adult attachment may impact access to another deep structure like emotional intelligence would enhance the effectiveness of interventions and strategies. Current research has indicated attachment type may change across the adult life span and changes when activated relationally (childhood caregivers, romantic relationships, and best friends). How does relationally activated attachment influence access to emotional intelligence? How might this type of activation be different across the adult life span? Addressing this gap in the literature, a 4-way ANOVA was performed on data collected from 171 participants (final sample size was 156). The predictive variables were age (five age groups); attachment type measured with implicit association test, relational activation conditions (three relational activating conditions and control) with covariate of gender on the dependent variable, a change score from pre-to-post emotional intelligence measurements. None of the main or interactional effects was significant. Some trends noted were in the differences in relational attachment on emotional intelligence in middle age ranges and between genders. Recommendations include replication of this study with a larger sample, looking at gender differences in emotional intelligence when attachment focuses on best friend issues, and enhancing/extending increases in emotional intelligence during middle age ranges to life aspects beyond the relational attachment with aging parents.