Volume 13, Issue 2 (Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026)
Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026, 13(2): 182-192 |
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Askari Firozjaii M, Najafi M. The Structural Effect of Insecure Attachment Styles on Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms: The Mediating Role of Mentalization. Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026; 13 (2) : 5
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2783-en.html
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2783-en.html
1- MA in Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
2- Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran ,m_najafi@semnan.ac.ir
2- Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran ,
Abstract: (16 Views)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD) is characterized by doubts about one's romantic partner and can undermine the foundation of couple relationships. According to attachment theory, early insecure attachment patterns may provide a fertile ground for the emergence of these symptoms by creating deficits in mentalization capacity. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of mentalization in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and ROCD.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study employed structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of married women in Babol, Iran, in 2025, from whom 315 participants were selected via convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (Qomian et al., 2021), the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Questionnaire (Brennan et al., 1998), and the Mentalization Questionnaire (Dimitrijević et al., 2018). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 26) and AMOS software (version 24).
Results: The findings indicated a direct and significant effect of avoidant attachment (β = 0.24) and anxious attachment (β = 0.36) on ROCD symptoms. Furthermore, the direct effects of avoidant attachment (β = -0.19) and anxious attachment (β = -0.47) on mentalization, as well as the effect of mentalization (β = -0.31) on ROCD symptoms, were also significant. Mentalization significantly mediated the relationship between anxious attachment (β = 0.147; P < 0.01) and avoidant attachment (β = 0.061; P < 0.01) with ROCD symptoms. The model demonstrated good fit indices (CFI = 0.97, GFI = 0.94, NFI = 0.96, IFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.076).
Conclusion: Insecure attachment exacerbates ROCD symptoms by reducing mentalization capacity. This finding underscores the necessity of mentalization-focused interventions in couple therapy.
Background and Aim: Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD) is characterized by doubts about one's romantic partner and can undermine the foundation of couple relationships. According to attachment theory, early insecure attachment patterns may provide a fertile ground for the emergence of these symptoms by creating deficits in mentalization capacity. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of mentalization in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and ROCD.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study employed structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of married women in Babol, Iran, in 2025, from whom 315 participants were selected via convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (Qomian et al., 2021), the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Questionnaire (Brennan et al., 1998), and the Mentalization Questionnaire (Dimitrijević et al., 2018). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 26) and AMOS software (version 24).
Results: The findings indicated a direct and significant effect of avoidant attachment (β = 0.24) and anxious attachment (β = 0.36) on ROCD symptoms. Furthermore, the direct effects of avoidant attachment (β = -0.19) and anxious attachment (β = -0.47) on mentalization, as well as the effect of mentalization (β = -0.31) on ROCD symptoms, were also significant. Mentalization significantly mediated the relationship between anxious attachment (β = 0.147; P < 0.01) and avoidant attachment (β = 0.061; P < 0.01) with ROCD symptoms. The model demonstrated good fit indices (CFI = 0.97, GFI = 0.94, NFI = 0.96, IFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.076).
Conclusion: Insecure attachment exacerbates ROCD symptoms by reducing mentalization capacity. This finding underscores the necessity of mentalization-focused interventions in couple therapy.
Article number: 5
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
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Received: 2026/01/19 | Accepted: 2026/06/3 | Published: 2026/09/20
Received: 2026/01/19 | Accepted: 2026/06/3 | Published: 2026/09/20
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