The Mediating Role of Attachment Behaviors in Relationship between Interaction with Family of Origin with Marital Quality and Depression

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of attachment behaviors in relationship between interaction with family of origin with marital quality and depression. Methods: The research design was inferential with path analysis methodology. The statistical population included all female students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in 2019-20, among whom 200 (132 women and 68 men) were recruited using convenient sampling method. The Family-of-Origin Scale (FOS; Hovestadt, et al., 1985), Brief Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Engagement Scale (BARE; Sandberg, et al., 2012), Dyadic Adjustment Scale - Revised Form (Busby, et al., 1995), and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck, 1972) were used to measure the variables. The data were analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and path analysis method. Findings: The results of correlation analysis showed that there is a significant correlation between all variables (P <0.05). Fitness indices confirmed the research model with a correction index. Also, the results showed that attachment behaviors significantly mediate the relationship between interaction with family of origin with depression and marital quality (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that interventions to promote relationships between couples require attention to interaction with the main family, and their attachment behaviors, especially in the Iranian society.