The Roles of Attachment Styles and Defense Mechanisms in Predicting Post-Traumatic Growth in the Survivors of Corona Deaths in Tehran in 2019-2021:A Descriptive Study

The covid-19 outbreak has caused a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological distress. However, studies suggest that these conditions may also lead to post-traumatic growth. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the role of defense mechanisms and attachment styles in predicting post-traumatic growth in people involved in coronavirus-induced mourning.

In this descriptive study, the statistical population included survivors (27 to 55 years old) (from February 2019 to September 2021) in the city of Tehran. Of this population, 130 people were selected as the research sample by the convenience sampling method. Questionnaires on defense styles, attachment styles, and post-traumatic growth were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using multiple linear regression.

The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that the developed defense mechanisms (Beta=0.489) and safe attachment style (Beta=0.256) predict post-traumatic growth in people involved in coronavirus-induced mourning in a meaningful way (p<0.001). However, the style of insecure attachments and the undeveloped and psychologically annoying defense mechanism lacked the adequate strength to predict post-traumatic growth (p<0.05).

Safe attachment style and developed defense mechanism can lead to growth after injury. Psychiatrists and psychologists who engage in mourning therapy are recommended to pay more attention to the defense mechanisms and attachment styles of those involved in mourning.