An Investigation into the Relationship between Attachment Style and Mental Health by the MediatingRole of Emotional Creativity

Present research aims to show the mediating role of emotional creativity in the relationship between attachment styles and mental health. A sample comprising of 324 students (155 females and 169 males) was selected from among Shiraz University students through multistage cluster sampling method. The statistical instruments were Adult Attachment Inventory (AAI), Emotional Creativity Inventory (ECI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28). According to Baron and Kenny's (1986) steps, using statistical method of hierarchical regression, hypothetical paths were examined. The main findings are the following: (a) as direct predictors: secure attachment positively, and ambivalent attachment negatively can predict mental health; (b) the emotional creativity and its dimensions play a mediating role in the relationship between attachment styles and mental health; and, (c) avoidance attachment was merely an indirect and negative predictor of mental health through the mediating role of emotional creativity, novelty and effectiveness. The model obtained is appropriate for explaining mental health problems.