The mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between attachment pathologies and symptoms of depression and anxiety

Subject Areas : Thoughts and Behavior in Clinical Psychology

Mohammad Ali Besharat ¹ ()
Hadi Farahman ² ()

Received: 2017-06-09 Accepted : 2017-06-09 Published : 2017-05-22

Keywords: depression, anxiety, attachment, difficulty in emotion regulation,

Abstract :

Differences in attachment styles have been linked to both emotion regulation and psychological functioning, but the emotional regulatory mechanisms through which attachment styles might impact symptoms of depression and anxiety are unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between attachment pathologies and depression and anxiety symptoms. For this purpose through a descriptive study, 528 students (274 females, 254 males) were selected using convenience sampling from the University of Tehran students and were evaluated in terms of attachment, depression, anxiety, and emotion regulation difficulty. The results indicated that the hypothesized model had a good fit with the observed data. The correlations between insecure attachment styles, difficulties in emotion regulation, and depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly positive. Based on the results of path analysis, difficulties in emotion regulation play a significant mediating role on the relationship between attachment insecurity and depression and anxiety symptoms. According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that insecure attachment styles and difficulties in emotion regulation can predict severity of depression and anxiety symptoms. Considering these variables may be important in the processes of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as promoting mental health in general population.