Moderation of attachment on association between relationship status and depression

Abstract

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has led to increasingly high rates of depression which may have deleterious effects on relationships. Given the mixed results regarding the protective nature of relationship status as married and secure adult attachment styles on depression, the current study examined the associations between relationship status and adult attachment styles on depression among US adults (N = 747) during the COVID‐19 shelter in place orders. The results of our simultaneous regression analysis yielded a statistically significant model wherein secure attachment was negatively associated with depression. Although the results of our analysis of covariance determined that relationship status as married was a protective factor, this effect became significantly reduced after controlling for attachment characteristics. Married participants in our study reported greater severity of depressive symptoms compared to those who were single and partnered, even after controlling for attachment styles. Implications for counseling professionals, limitations, and future areas of research are additionally provided.