The relationship between insecure attachment patterns and psychopathological symptoms: The mediating role of general causality orientations

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of general causality orientations within Self Determination Theory in the relationship between adult attachment styles and various psychopathological symptoms (depression, OCD symptomology, and general psychological symptoms). Total 750 participants were consisted of 558 female and 192 male. Results of a mediation analysis demonstrated that: autonomy orientation have shown positive effect to statistically significant predictors for various psychopathological symptoms, but having impersonal orientations have shown negative effect. Control orientations have negative effect to statistically significant predictors only for OCD symptomology. Different level causality orientations for each individual was found to be suited for the role of partial mediation this relation, and autonomy orientation was found to have more positive roles than control and impersonal orientations. This relationship is differential with respect to gender effect and anxious or avoidant attachment patterns.