Experiential avoidance mediates the link between maternal attachment style and theory of mind

Theoretical and empirical models suggest a relation between attachment style and Theory of Mind (ToM) in childhood and adulthood; however, this link has not been evaluated to the same extent in adolescence. Additionally, these models typically fail to consider mechanisms by which attachment style affects ToM abilities. The present study sought to test a mediational model in which experiential avoidance mediates the relation between maternal attachment style and ToM. A sample of 282 adolescents (Mage =15.42years, SD =1.44, 62.8% female) was recruited from an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry - November 21, 2014 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Salome Vanwoerden, Allison H. Kalpakci, Carla Sharp Source Type: research