Adult attachment security and symptoms of depression: the mediating roles of dysfunctional attitudes and low self-esteem.
Three studies investigated the relation between adult attachment security and symptoms of depression. Study l examined the overall magnitude of the association between adult attachment and depression, and Studies 2 and 3 tested whether this relation was mediated by dysfunctional attitudes and low self-esteem. Results from the three studies were consistent with a mediation model. This model suggests that insecure adult attachment styles are associated with dysfunctional attitudes, which in turn predispose to lower levels of self-esteem. Such depletions in self-esteem are directly associated with increases in depressive symptoms over time. Insecure attachment appears to lead to depressive symptoms in adulthood through its impact on self-worth contingencies and self-esteem.
Roberts
J E
JE
Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, USA.
Gotlib
I H
IH
Kassel
J D
JD
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012649:Self Concept