The Mediating Role of Fear of Self in the Relationship between Insecure Attachment Styles and Obsessive Beliefs in a Non-Clinical Population

Background & Aims: 

Numerous studies have reported conflicting results regarding the relationship between obsessive beliefs and cognitive variables. also obsessive beliefs are important factors in turning disturbing thoughts into obsessive thoughts. In this regard, the aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of fear of self in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and obsessive beliefs among students.

Materials & Methods:

 The method of the present study was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of this research included all undergraduate students of Tehran Universities from August to October 2022. In this regards, 320 people were selected by cluster sampling and answered the questionnaires. After removing outlier data, 312 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The research tools included Obsessive Beliefs (OBG) questionnaire, Fear of Self (FSQ) questionnaire, and Experience in Close Relationships (ECR) questionnaire. Finally, the data was analysed by Pearson correlation method and structural equations using SPSS version 24 and AMOS version 22 software.

The goodness of fit index for the research model were significant and desirable and the model had a good fit. The results showed that the correlation coefficient of the total score of obsessive beliefs with fear of self and the total score of insecure attachment styles were 0.42 and 0.54, respectively, and there was a significant difference between them at P<0.01. Furthermore, the indirect effect and the total effect of insecure attachment styles to obsessive beliefs was 0.24 and 0.33, respectively, and there was a significant difference between them (p<0.01).

The results of the present study showed that insecure attachment styles and fear of self have important and influential roles on obsessive beliefs. The present study also identified relationships that may have important implications for the prevention and treatment of unacceptable thoughts in OCD patients as well as non-clinical people.