Emotional attachment in partner relationships as a predictor of depression

Abstract

According to the theory of emotional attachment, specific emotional relationships are established at an early age between the child and its parents. The working model shapes the quality of adult relationships. Within the indicated theoretical context, it was hypothesized that we could find three early attachment styles and that these have a significant effect on attachment styles in close partner relationships. It was also hypothesized that depression has a statistically significant effect on attachment styles in close partner relationships. Attachment was assessed with a number of instruments: Close Relationship and UPIPAV. The investigation included 129 grown - ups: 64 with depressive symptomatology, and 65 healthy individuals. The assumption is confirmed about three styles of affective attachments. Findings showed significant main effect of early attachment styles, but no depression; interaction between depression and early attachment styles is not significant. It is also confirmed that the interaction between affective attachment styles and depression is not statistically significant.