Identity Styles Moderate the Role of Insecure Attachment Dimensions on Internalizing Behaviors

Abstract

The present study examined how identity styles and romantic attachment dimensions predict internalizing problems among 456 college students. Results indicated that the diffuse-avoidant identity style was positively associated with depressive symptoms, whereas the normative identity style was negatively related to generalized anxiety. Anxious attachment was positively related to both internalizing problems, and avoidant attachment was related positively only to depressive symptoms. Interaction results revealed that a stronger diffuse-avoidant identity style strengthened the relationship between anxious attachment and depressive symptoms. A stronger informational identity style led to a significant association between the avoidant dimension and both internalizing behaviors. Lastly, for those with low levels in the informational identity style, a stronger association was observed between the anxious attachment dimension and depressive symptoms. Thus, identity styles can exacerbate or buffer the influence of attachment orientations on internalizing behaviors during emerging adulthood.

Keywords

attachment dimensions depressive symptoms emerging adulthood generalized anxiety identity styles internalizing behaviors

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