The Influence of Attachment Styles on the Relationship between Primary Emotions and Substance Related Addictive Behaviors

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To date there is no universally accepted model that describes the development of substance related addictive behavior. In order to address this gap, the study sought to examine whether the association between primary emotions and the inclination toward addictive behavior is mediated by an anxious attachment style. Methods The total sample consisted of 900 nonclinical young adults (Age: M = 27; SD = 9.60; 71.6% female). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to examine the connection between the primary emotions (SADNESS and ANGER), and the latent variables attachment anxiety and symptoms of addictive behavior. Results Substance use symptomatology was correlated with higher attachment anxiety (r = .15), SADNESS (r = .15) and ANGER (r = .11). The effect of SADNESS on addictive behavior is mediated by attachment anxiety (p < .01) whereas ANGER had a direct effect on addictive behavior (p < .01). The final SEM explains 4% of the variance of addictive behaviors and 22% of attachment anxiety. Conclusions Our findings suggest that both SADNESS and ANGER, along with attachment anxiety, are dispositions that contribute to the risk of engaging in addictive behavior. However, while ANGER directly influences addictive behavior, SADNESS acts through its impact on attachment anxiety.