The vulnerable attachment style as a predictor of depression and stress: The mediating role of emotion regulation and coping strategies
The vulnerable attachment style as a predictor of depression and stress: The mediating role of emotion regulation and coping strategies

Summary/Abstract: The study aimed to examine the role of emotion regulation and coping strategies on the relationship between vulnerable attachment, depression and stress. A total of 282 university students participated in the study through convenience sampling method. The data were collected via self-report using Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire, Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory-II, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Ways of Coping Inventory, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory. The Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire was adapted to Turkish culture for the first time within the scope of this study. Subsequently, the mediating role of emotion regulation and coping strategies in the relationship between vulnerable attachment, depression and stress was tested. According to the findings of the confirmatory factor analysis, four factor attachment patterns which were subcategory of proximity seeking (lack of autonomy, anxious-dependent) and insecurity (ambivalent and avoidant-dismissive) dimensions were confirmed. Based on the structural equation model analysis, emotion regulation and coping strategies mediated the relationship of vulnerable attachment style with depression and stress. Results indicated that both ambivalent and anxious-dependent attachment styles increased the symptoms of depression and stress. In addition, ineffective and effective coping strategies were shown to play a mediating role in the relationship of ambivalent attachment style with depression and stress. Specifically, individuals with ambivalent attachment style tended to experience depression and stress more since they used ineffective coping strategies more and effective coping strategies less. Furthermore, ambivalent attachment style indirectly influenced depression and stress through the reduction of reappraisal. Given these findings, it is believed that revealing the mechanism behind the relationship of vulnerable attachment style with depression and stress would significantly contribute to both the theoretical framework and the psychotherapeutic intervention process.

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