The relationship between attachment styles and internalizing/externalizing problems: The mediating role of self-criticism

Abstract

The relationship between attachment styles and internalizing/externalizing problems: the mediating role of self-criticism --Manuscript Draft--Manuscript Number: CUPS-D-18-00132R3 Full Title: The relationship between attachment styles and internalizing/externalizing problems: the mediating role of self-criticism Article Type: Original Article Funding Information:Abstract:Objectives. Many recent studies have explored the potential links between attachment style dimensions, personality vulnerability factors for psychopathology, and psychological and be-havioral problems, particularly those along the internalizing and externalizing spectrum. However, previous studies have not examined these links within a structural equation model that can examine multiple predictors and outcomes, and therefore have not fully investigated the specificity of links between these factors. This cross-sectional study examined the mediat-ing role of self-criticism in the relationship between attachment style dimensions and interna-lizing and externalizing problems.Method. The sample included 420 nonclinical adolescents aged 14-20 years who were re-cruited in school settings and completed self-reported measures of attachment style dimen-sions (Attachment Style Questionnaire), self-criticism (Depressive Experiences Question-naire), and internalizing and externalizing problems (Youth Self-Report). Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed mediation model and to ascertain direct and indirect effects among study variables. Results. Results shown that self-criticism mediated the link between both attachment avoidance and anxiety, and internalizing problems. Results were not moderated by gender.Conclusions. Results suggest that self-criticism is associated with psychopathology during adolescence, and accounts for the associations of attachment style dimensions with internalizing and externalizing problems.

The mediating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between psychological stress and distress among chinese nursing students: a cross-sectional study

“…This can be explained by the fact that the performance of coping with emotional failure is motivated by actual or potential losses and failures. Such emotion regulation strategies and maladaptive coping mechanisms may occur over time, increasing the intensity of anxiety concerning adverse life events or tensions [ 46 ]. During the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic, nursing students were inevitably affected by related negative information, resulting in negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and depression [ 47 ].…”

Perceived Stress, Psychological Capital, and Psychological Distress Among Chinese Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This can be explained by the fact that the performance of coping with emotional failure is motivated by actual or potential losses and failures. Such emotion regulation strategies and maladaptive coping mechanisms may occur over time, increase the intensity of anxiety concerning adverse life events or tensions [41]. Since there is a link between psychological distress and the perception of negative events, the higher the individuals' level of perception of negative events, the lower the level of their emotion regulation strategies [42] and the more their self-e cacy and self-esteem levels are challenged, affecting their resilience and increasing psychological distress.…”

“…Higher scores indicate more perceived stress symptoms. The total score was categorised into normal pressure (score 0-24), high pressure (score [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42], excessive pressure (score 43-56), and very high pressure (score 30-50). In the current study, the Cronbach's alpha for this scale was 0.839.…”

Attachment and psychological distress: The mediator role of Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies

“…In the case of depression, though, this pattern may be explained by a failure to cope with emotions activated by actual or potential losses and failures (Mikulincer & Shaver, ). For example, individuals with anxious attachment tend to experience chronic mourning due to the tendency to exaggerate, get fixated, and ruminate on the threats and negative aspects of life (Mikulincer & Shaver, ) or engage in a process of self‐criticism (De Santis, Falgares, & Kopala‐Sibley, ). Heavy reliance on such maladaptive coping mechanisms and emotion regulation strategies, over time, may contribute to the emergence of low NMRE which eventually increases the intensity of dysphoric mood following negative life events or stressful situations.…”