Give yourself a break: Self-compassion mediates insecure attachment and divorce maladjustment among Iranian women

Abstract

Research suggests that multiple psychological factors are associated with divorce adjustment (DA). However, the mechanisms by which these factors affect DA lack clarity. Accordingly, this study examined associations between attachment styles and divorce adjustment with self-compassion as a potential mediator. Cultural context of DA is considered. A total of 304 Iranian divorced women completed a series of self-rating questionnaires covering levels of adult attachment styles, self-compassion components, and indicators of divorce adjustment. Higher scores of attachment security and lower levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance were associated with higher levels of divorce adjustment and self-compassion, and higher levels of self-compassion were associated with better DA. Through Confirmatory Factor Analyses and Structural Equation Modeling, the trimmed model showed that self-compassion partially mediated attachment anxiety and fully mediated attachment avoidance as predictors of poorer divorce adjustment (or greater maladjustment, based on feelings of self-worth, grief, and self-anger subscales of DA). Self-compassion appears to be a key factor in how Iranian women adjusted to divorce, particularly those women with insecure adult attachment styles. Cultivating self-compassion could be an effective way to help counter negative attachment patterns. The role of Iranian cultural characteristics in perceptions and stress related to marriage and post-divorce adjustment is discussed.