The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between attachment styles and self-control

Owning the high capacity of self-control is an actively adaptive quality that enables people to live in a healthier and happier way. Self-control leads to positive outcomes like a healthier lifestyle, better financial situations, and better interpersonal relationships. In contrast, not having enough power of self-control can lead to adverse outcomes like having damaging behaviors. Hence, the present article has been done to determine the impact of the attachment styles on self-control, both directly and indirectly through the mediating role of self-compassion. Through available sampling, 245 psychologically healthy people, including 134 females and 111 males participated in the research. They answered the following questionnaires: self-compassion (SCS), attachment styles (RAAS) and self-control (SCS). Structural equation modeling was applied using AMOS software to analyze the data. The results showed that the secure attachment style predicts self-compassion positively and significantly, and anxious and avoidance attachment style negatively and significantly predict self-compassion. The results also showed a positive and significant relationship between self-compassion and self-control. The results also indicate that self-compassion mediates the relationship between secure attachment style and self-control positively and mediates the relationship between anxious and avoidant attachment styles negatively. Therefore, regarding the outcomes, attachment styles and childhood happenings can have an impact on individuals' self-compassion and self-control noticeably. And having a secure attachment style can help people regulate their emotions and behaviors in adulthood.