The Prediction of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Based on Attachment Pathologies

Anxiety and depression disorders are two of the most prevalent psychological disorders and awareness of the variables affecting their development is of significant clinical importance. The present study aimed to predict anxiety and depression symptoms based on attachment pathologies. The participants of the study were 406 students from the University of Tehran in the academic year 2015-2016. The participants (242 boys, 164 girls) were asked to fill out Adult Attachment Inventory (AAI), and  Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS(. To analyze the data, correlation coefficients were calculated and a stepwise regression was run. The results showed that there was a significant positive relationship between avoidant and ambivalent attachment styles and anxiety and depression symptoms indicating that attachment pathologies could predict anxiety and depression symptoms. Accordingly, considering attachment pathologies is of great importance for the prevention of depression and anxiety disorders, the promotion of individuals’ mental health and the treatment of people with anxiety and depression symptoms.