IngentaConnect Attachment style and symptom reporting: Examining the mediating e...

Authors: Kidd, Tara¹; Sheffield, David¹

Source: British Journal of Health Psychology, Volume 10, Number 4, November 2005 , pp. 531-541(11)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

Abstract:

Objective. Attachment style has been related to symptom reporting. The aim of this research was to examine whether social support and anger expression or experience mediate this relationship.

Design and methods. 141 women and 50 men from a Midlands university completed questionnaires examining attachment style, anger expression and experience, perceived social support, and symptom reporting.

Results. Significant differences were found between attachment groups on somatic, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depressive symptoms. Post hoc analysis showed differences were present between secure and preoccupied attachment styles on social dysfunction and depressed symptoms, and secure and fearful attachment styles on somatic, social dysfunction, and depressed symptoms (p<.05). ANCOVA revealed that there were no differences between attachment styles and any of the symptom scales when perceived social support, anger-in, and trait anger were entered as covariates.

Conclusion. Results indicate that insecure attachment styles of preoccupied and fearful were associated with increased symptom reporting. Social support and anger mediated the relationship between attachment style and symptom reporting.

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Attachment style and symptom reporting: Examining the mediating effects of anger and social support