The Relationship between Attachment and Depression: The Mediational Role of Shame, Self-Esteem, and Social Support

<p>According to the American College Health Association 31.3% of college students reported feeling depressed. Early parental attachment forms an internal working model that is used as reference for later relationships and experiences. Past research suggests that parental attachment is associated with depression. Low self-esteem was found to mediate the relationship between parental bonding (low care and overprotection) and depression. The cognitive schemas of defectiveness and shame were found to meditate the relationship between poor parental bonding and depression. Among cancer patients the relationship between anxious attachment and symptoms of depression was mediated by perceived social support.</p> <p>Research is necessary to further understand the negative outcomes of insecure parental attachment as it relates to depression. Purpose of study is to simultaneously examine three potential mediators (shame, social support, and self-esteem) of the attachment and depression relationship. The results of the current study suggest that the relationship between insecure parental attachment and depression is indirect with shame, social support, and self-esteem each serving as mediators of this relationship.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in General Experimental Psychology

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Ayala, Evelyn Estela

Contributors dc:contributor

• Michael R. Lewin

• Parental Attachment
• Depression
• Self-Esteem
• Shame
• Social Support
• Multiple Mediation
• Counseling Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/221

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu:etd-1222