The relationship between attachment styles and internalizing/externalizing problems: the mediating role of self-criticism

Abstract

Objectives. Many recent studies have explored the potential links between attachment style dimensions, personality vulnerability factors for psychopathology, and psychological and be-havioral problems, particularly those along the internalizing and externalizing spectrum. However, previous studies have not examined these links within a structural equation model that can examine multiple predictors and outcomes, and therefore have not fully investigated the specificity of links between these factors. This cross-sectional study examined the mediat-ing role of self-criticism in the relationship between attachment style dimensions and interna-lizing and externalizing problems. Method. The sample included 420 nonclinical adolescents aged 14-20 years who were re-cruited in school settings and completed self-reported measures of attachment style dimen-sions (Attachment Style Questionnaire), self-criticism (Depressive Experiences Question-naire), and internalizing and externalizing problems (Youth Self-Report). Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed mediation model and to ascertain direct and indirect effects among study variables. Results. Results shown that self-criticism mediated the link between both attachment avoidance and anxiety, and internalizing problems. Results were not moderated by gender. Conclusions. Results suggest that self-criticism is associated with psychopathology during adolescence, and accounts for the assoc