Attachment style and perceived social support: Effects on affect regulation

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the contribution of attachment styles and perceived social support to levels of anxiety and depression. Subjects were 328 students, 59% of whom rated themselves as securely attached, 31% as avoidant, and 10% as ambivalent. Findings confirm previous research, that securely attached individuals are significantly less anxious and depressed than insecurely attached subjects, perceive more social support in their environment and are more satisfied with it. Social support scores were significantly related to anxiety and depression levels, as well as affected by attachment styles. The exploration of the relative contributions of attachment classification and perceived social support to the explanation of affect regulation suggests that subjective satisfaction with social support contributes to the prediction of felt distress beyond attachment styles. Results are discussed in the framework of the intertwining between the intra and the interpersonal aspects of affect regulation.