TY - JOUR

T1 - Belonging, burdensomeness, and self-compassion as mediators of the association between attachment and depression

AU - Øverup, Camilla S.

AU - Mclean, Erin A.

AU - Brunson, Julie A.

AU - Coffman, Amelia D.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2017 Guilford Publications, Inc.

PY - 2017/10

Y1 - 2017/10

N2 - Depression is a widespread psychological issue. Research suggests that attachment theory provides a useful lens through which to understand the occurrence of depression, as attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance is associated with greater reports of depression. However, less is known about how attachmentmotivated perceptions and cognitions relate to depression. In the current study, we examined self-compassion, and perceptions of belonging and burdensomeness as potential mediators of the association between depression and attachment anxiety and avoidance, using a sample (N = 370) of students from a large southern metropolitan university. Results suggested that self-compassion, and perceived belonging and burdensomeness, mediated the association between attachment anxiety and depression. Those with greater attachment anxiety reported less self-compassion, feeling less belonging, and more burdensomeness. These factors were associated with increased depressive symptoms. With respect to attachment avoidance, only belonging served as a mediator, such that those with greater attachment avoidance reported feeling less belonging, and this related to feeling more depressive symptoms. An alternative model is also presented and discussed. These results suggest potential attachment-motivated perceptions and cognitions that may be addressed in clinical settings in an effort to minimize depressive symptoms.

AB - Depression is a widespread psychological issue. Research suggests that attachment theory provides a useful lens through which to understand the occurrence of depression, as attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance is associated with greater reports of depression. However, less is known about how attachmentmotivated perceptions and cognitions relate to depression. In the current study, we examined self-compassion, and perceptions of belonging and burdensomeness as potential mediators of the association between depression and attachment anxiety and avoidance, using a sample (N = 370) of students from a large southern metropolitan university. Results suggested that self-compassion, and perceived belonging and burdensomeness, mediated the association between attachment anxiety and depression. Those with greater attachment anxiety reported less self-compassion, feeling less belonging, and more burdensomeness. These factors were associated with increased depressive symptoms. With respect to attachment avoidance, only belonging served as a mediator, such that those with greater attachment avoidance reported feeling less belonging, and this related to feeling more depressive symptoms. An alternative model is also presented and discussed. These results suggest potential attachment-motivated perceptions and cognitions that may be addressed in clinical settings in an effort to minimize depressive symptoms.

KW - Attachment anxiety and avoidance

KW - Belonging

KW - Burdensomeness

KW - Depression

KW - Self-compassion

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85034758426&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1521/jscp.2017.36.8.675

DO - 10.1521/jscp.2017.36.8.675

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85034758426

VL - 36

SP - 675

EP - 703

JO - Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology

JF - Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology

SN - 0736-7236

IS - 8

ER -