Adult attachment, depression, and eating disorder symptoms: The mediating role of affect regulation strategies

Attachment dimensions and symptoms of depression & eating disorders

This research explores the mediating effects of affect regulation strategies on the relationship between attachment dimensions and symptoms of depression and eating disorders (ED) among 310 women undergoing treatment for ED. Utilizing structural equation modeling, the findings reveal that attachment anxiety significantly contributes to both depressive and ED symptoms through emotional reactivity. Conversely, attachment avoidance was found to mediate only the relationship between attachment avoidance and depressive symptoms via emotional deactivation, while maintaining a direct association with ED symptoms independent of emotional regulation. These insights advocate for the development of tailored clinical interventions that consider individual attachment styles and their corresponding affect regulation strategies. Specifically, treatment for individuals with attachment anxiety should emphasize impulse regulation, whereas those with attachment avoidance may benefit from a focus on gradual exposure to affective expression. [NPID: Attachment, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, reactivity, interventions, regulation strategies]

Year: 2009

Reference: Tasca, G. A., Szadkowski, L., Illing, V., Trinneer, A., Grenon, R., Demidenko, N., Krysanski, V., Balfour, L., & Bissada, H. (2009). Adult attachment, depression, and eating disorder symptoms: The mediating role of affect regulation strategies. Personality and Individual Differences, 47(6), 662–667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2009.06.006

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