Kashan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
Abstract
Background: Various researches have studied the relationship between psychological distress and different variables. The present study aimed to predict psychological distress according to the attachment style with respect to the mediating role of mindfulness.
Materials and Methods: The present study follows a design of correlational studies. The sample of research included 250 undergraduate and M. D. students of Shahed University studying in the first semester of a 2017-2018 academic year. Data were collected using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 item (DASS-21), Experiences in Close Relationship-Revised (ECR-R) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Then, the data were analyzed using the SPSS-23 and AMOS-18 software.
Results: The results showed a significant positive relationship between attachment anxiety and the components of psychological distress (anxiety, depression and stress), as well as a significant negative relationship between attachment anxiety and mindfulness. Also, a significant negative relationship was found between mindfulness and the components of psychological distress. In addition, a significant negative relationship was found between attachment avoidance and mindfulness. The results of the structural equation modeling confirmed the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between attachment anxiety and the components of psychological distress. The effect of attachment avoidance on the components of psychological distress was only confirmed in the presence of mindfulness as a mediating variable, rather than directly.
Conclusion: According to the findings of the current research, the mediating role of mindfulness in the effect of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on the components of psychological distress is confirmed. These findings seem to be applicable in different humanistic areas like interpersonal relationships, educational, family and therapeutic fields