The Impact of Early Losses, Attachment, Temperament-Character Traits and Affect Regulation on the Development of Psychopathology

Abstract

The role of developmental issues and the constitutional factors are crucial in conceptualization of psychopathology. The main aim of this research was to investigate the impact of early losses, attachment styles, affect regulation and temperament-character traits on psychopathology. Furthermore, the other aim was to examine the mediator role of affect regulation and attachment styles between harm avoidance temperament trait and psychopathology. The research sample was composed of two groups being clinical group (n = 224) and healthy control group (n = 61). The clinical group included major depressive disorder (n = 78), anxiety disorder (n = 74) and somatization disorder (n = 72). Data collection tools involved Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, The Experiences in Close Relationships-II, Temperament Character Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Early Losses Search Form. It was found that the losses that the clinical group had experienced during their childhood period were higher than the control group. The clinical group had more anxious and avoidant attachment styles; had more difficulties in emotion regulation; used the adaptational cognitive emotion regulation strategies less and the non-adaptational strategies more; had higher harm avoidance scores than the healthy group. Moreover, it was found that both the emotion regulation difficulties and attachment styles had a partial mediating effect between harm avoidance and depression and anxiety. It was shown that the early relationships and experiences have an impact on the further development of psychopathology and take an important place in understanding the etiology of depression and anxiety.