Mediating Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Experiential Avoidance in the Relationship between Attachment Styles and Severity of Relationship Obsessive -compulsive Disorder Symptoms

Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD) is one of the forms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, focusing on intimate relationships. Identifying the mechanisms of ROCD can significantly expand our knowledge of the factors related to its development and exacerbation. This study aims to determine the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation and experiential avoidance in the relationship between attachment styles and the severity of ROCD symptoms.

Five hundred thirty-one participants (455 females and 76 males) were selected using convenient sampling from the general population of Iran. They completed the Experiences in close relationships-revised (ECR-R), the difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS), the acceptance and action questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and the Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (ROCI) online. SPSS software, version 22 and AMOS version 24 were used to analyze data.

Attachment styles had a significant correlation with difficulties in emotion regulation, experiential avoidance, and ROCD symptoms (P<0.01). Moreover, the two variables of difficulties in emotion regulation and experiential avoidance had a mediating role in the relationship between attachment styles and ROCD symptoms.

Attachment styles can predict the ROCD symptoms directly and indirectly by the difficulties in emotion regulation and experiential avoidance. Difficulties in emotion regulation and experiential avoidance should be considered in treatment of ROCD symptoms, especially in those with insecure attachment styles.