Attachment and psychological distress: the mediator role of negative mood regulation expectancies

Abstract

Objective The current study aims to examine the relation between different dimensions of attachment with psychological distress, by specifically focusing on the mediator role of Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies (NMRE), which are considered as a form of coping self-efficacy. There is ample evidence showing the role of emotion regulation strategies predicting the relationship between attachment and psychological disorders. However, little is known about how NMRE might mediate the relationship between attachment dimensions and psychological distress.

Method Four hundred and two (318 women) individuals between ages 18 and 62 (mean = 29.65; standard deviation [SD] = 8.96) completed measures of NMRE, attachment dimensions, and psychological distress.

Results NMRE mediated the relationship between anxious attachment dimension and all dimensions of psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress). However, NMRE mediated the relationship of avoidant attachment only with stress.

Conclusion Distinct mechanisms explain the relationship between two dimensions of attachment with NMRE and different forms of psychological distress.