The mediating role of gratitude in the relationship between attachment styles and psychological well-being

Australas Psychiatry. 2020 Aug;28(4):426-430. doi: 10.1177/1039856220930672. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the mediating role of gratitude in the relationship between attachment styles and psychological well-being in students.

Method: We selected 200 students using randomised cluster sampling in the academic year 2016-2017. They completed the attachment style, psychological well-being and gratitude questionnaires.

Results: On path analysis, secure attachment style had a positive relationship with both gratitude and psychological well-being. Conversely, anxiety-avoidance styles had a negative relationship with both outcomes.

Conclusions: Gratitude plays a mediating role attachment and psychological well-being. These results may have implications for the development of interventions to improve mental well-being with a focus on enhancing gratitude.

Keywords: attachment styles; gratitude; well-being.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / prevention & control
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Object Attachment*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult