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Volume 24, Issue 146 (4-2025)                   Journal of Psychological Science 2025, 24(146): 339-355 | Back to browse issues page


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fallah S, Kafi Masouleh S M, abolghasemi A. (2025). The Mediating Role of Attachment Styles in the Relationship Between Traumatic Childhood Experiences with Student’s Love Addiction. Journal of Psychological Science. 24(146), 339-355. doi:10.61186/jps.24.146.339
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-2952-en.html
Department of Psychology, faculty of literature and humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. , mosakafi@guilan.ac.ir
Abstract:   (17 Views)
Background: Childhood trauma is a significant predictor of adult relational dysfunction, with attachment styles playing a mediating role in this process. Understanding the mechanisms by which early adverse experiences influence love addiction can contribute to more targeted interventions.
Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of attachment styles in the relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and love addiction among university students.
Methods: The method of the present study was descriptive-correlational, using structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the study included all undergraduate students at the University of Guilan, from whom 360 students were selected using convenience sampling. Research data were collected through questionnaires on Love Addiction Inventory (Paybody, 2005), traumatic childhood experiences (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Prevention and Kaiser Foundation, 2014), and Adult Attachment Inventory (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Data analysis was also performed using structural equation modeling and Bootstrap methods using SPSS-26 and AMOS-24 software.
Results: The results of the study indicated a good fit of the model (RMSEA=0.04, P < 0.001). Secure and ambivalent attachment styles significantly mediated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and love addiction, while avoidant attachment style did not play a mediating role.
Conclusion: The results underscore the importance of insecure attachment styles, particularly ambivalent attachment, in mediating the effects of childhood trauma on adult relationship behaviors. These findings may inform the development of therapeutic interventions aimed at addressing attachment-related vulnerabilities to reduce the risk of love addiction in affected individuals.
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: General
Received: 2025/01/17 | Accepted: 2025/04/7 | Published: 2025/04/21

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