Adult attachment, dependence, self-criticism, and depressive symptoms: a test of a mediational model

J Pers. 2010 Aug 1;78(4):1135-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00645.x. Epub 2010 Jun 1.

Abstract

Attachment anxiety is expected to be positively associated with dependence and self-criticism. However, attachment avoidance is expected to be negatively associated with dependence but positively associated with self-criticism. Both dependence and self-criticism are expected to be related to depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed from 424 undergraduate participants at a large Midwestern university, using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that the relation between attachment anxiety and depressive symptoms was fully mediated by dependence and self-criticism, whereas the relation between attachment avoidance and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by dependence and self-criticism. Moreover, through a multiple-group comparison analysis, the results indicated that men with high levels of attachment avoidance are more likely than women to be self-critical.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Dependency, Psychological*
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Object Attachment*
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Self Concept*
  • Sex Factors
  • Young Adult