Depression and attachment: how do personality styles and social support influence this relation?
Journal
Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome
ISSN
2239-8031
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Paula Dagnino
Adriana Gòmez
Sergio Gloger
Mariane Krause
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
URL Institutional Repository
Abstract
<jats:p>The purpose of this study is to improve the current understanding of the relation between depression and attachment through the evaluation of the role of personality styles (dependent vs self-critical) and social support in this association. These variables were studied in a clinical sample of 70 depressed outpatients (83% women; M=41.47 years, SD=12.91). Depressive symptomatology was assessed through the Beck Depression Inventory, adult attachment through the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, social support through the Social Support Questionnaire and dependency and self-criticism through the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire. Mediational and moderation regression analyses were performed. Results show that the association between the dimensions of attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and depression was partially mediated by self-criticism. Furthermore, results demonstrate the role of social support as a moderating variable: when the level of satisfaction with social support was low and the anxiety dimension in the attachment scale was high, as avoidance increased, depressive symptoms increased as well. Results are discussed in relation to their importance for understanding the complex interplay of the variables involved in depression.</jats:p>
Subjects
depression
;
attachment
;
social support
;
dependency and self-criticism