Adult attachment, intimacy and psychological distress in a clinical and community sample

Abstract

Attachment theory predicts that early experiences with caregivers affect the quality of individuals' later (romantic) relationships and, consequently, their mental health. The present study examined the role of intimacy in the current romantic relationship as a possible mediator of the relationship between adult attachment and psychological distress in a clinical and community sample. Results indicated that attachment security was positively, whereas attachment insecurity was negatively, related to intimacy in the current romantic relationship. Furthermore, security of attachment was negatively related to loneliness and depression and positively to satisfaction with life. The reverse held for attachment insecurity. Mediational analyses revealed that intimacy in the current relationship only partially mediated the relationship between attachment and psychological distress. Although near perfect mediation was found for fearful attachment in the clinical sample and for preoccupied attachment in the community sample, the findings with regard to the other attachment styles were less clear-cut. Apart from the hypothesized indirect effect of attachment on psychological distress through intimacy, a direct effect of attachment on psychological distress remains. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Insecure Attachment Behavior and Partner Violence: Incorporating Couple Perceptions of Insecure Attachment and Relational Aggression

“…Further, while this study has clinical implications, the study's sample is a community sample, rather than a clinical one. It can be assumed that, if we were to focus this study on a clinical sample, the rates of violence would be more pronounced and less skewed (Stith et al., ), as well as, presumably, the lack of attachment security (Pielage, Luteijn, & Arrindell, ). Further, while we were able to control for some of the correlates of physical aggression in this study, we were unable to control for all of them (i.e., alcohol and drug use).…”

Emotional awareness as a pathway linking adult attachment to subsequent depression.

“…Using a conservative approach to analysis, the results of this study support Mallinckrodt and Wei's (2005) hypothesized direction of effects by demonstrating that emotional awareness, which encompasses alexithymia, serves as a pathway from attachment avoidance to depressive symptoms over time and adjusting for prior levels of emotional awareness and depression. In future research, it will be interesting to explore how emotional awareness intersects with other identified mediating processes, such as interpersonal vulnerabilities (Hankin et al, 2005; Pielage et al, 2005) or coping styles (Wei et al, 2006). It is possible that deficits in emotional awareness undermine interpersonal skills and relationships and lead individuals to use less effective coping strategies (Flynn & Rudolph, 2010; Gohm & Clore, 2002), resulting in depression.…”

“…In an effort to understand why attachment insecurity serves as a risk for depression, researchers have identified several explanatory processes, including cognitive vulnerabilities (e.g., dysfunctional attitudes, self-criticism; Cantazaro & Wei, 2010; Hankin et al, 2005; Roberts et al, 1996; Wei, Heppner, Russell, & Young, 2006), interpersonal vulnerabilities (e.g., interpersonal dependence, poor romantic relationship quality; Eng et al, 2001; Pielage, Luteijn, & Arrindell, 2005; Cantazaro & Wei, 2010; Wei, Russell, & Zakilak, 2005), and coping styles (Wei, Heppner, Russell, & Young, 2006). However, much of this research relies on concurrent or two-wave designs, making it difficult to draw conclusions about the direction of effects.…”

Attachment to God, Images of God, and Psychological Distress in a Nationwide Sample of Presbyterians

“…Recent research, however, has also documented clear links between attachment styles and various aspects of psychosocial functioning (Kirkpatrick & Davis, 1994; Kirkpatrick & Hazan, 1994). For example, differences in attachment styles have been shown to predict depressive symptoms and other forms of psychological distress, likely via the quality of affectional bonds established between individuals (Murphy & Bates, 1997; Pielage, Luteijn, & Arrindell, 2005; Riggs, Vosvick, & Stallings, 2007). Differences in attachment styles also lead to disparate coping strategies in the face of stressors (Mikulincer & Florian, 1998)—a finding that explains at least part of the connection with mental health.…”