Investigation of the mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between attachment styles and cognitive behavioral avoidance in adults

In this study, it was aimed to examine the mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between attachment styles and cognitive behavioral avoidance in adults. For this purpose, the research was carried out with the multiple mediator variable model, which is one of the quantitative research methods. The sample of the study consists of 410 adults between the ages of 18-53. "Demographic Information Form", "Three-Dimensional Attachment Styles Scale (UBSS)", "Cognitive Behavioral Avoidance Scale (BDS)" and "Toronto Alexithymia Scale" were used to collect the research data. SPSS 28 program was used in the analysis of the research data. According to the findings obtained in the research; negative aspects of secure attachment with cognitive behavioral avoidance and alexithymia (total, difficulty recognizing emotions, difficulty verbalizing emotions); It was determined that avoidant and anxious ambivalent attachment showed moderately significant positive relationships with cognitive-behavioral avoidance and alexithymia. In addition, it was found that there were significant positive relationships between cognitive behavioral avoidance types (behavioral social avoidance, behavioral non-social avoidance, cognitive social avoidance, and cognitive non-social avoidance) and alexithymia components (difficulty in recognizing emotions, difficulty verbalizing emotions, extroverted thinking). A partial mediating effect of alexithymia was found in the relationship between secure, avoidant and anxious ambivalent attachment and cognitive behavioral avoidance. As a result, as the level of secure attachment increased in adults, the levels of cognitive-behavioral avoidance (total, behavioral social and non-social, cognitive-social and non-social) and alexithymia (total, difficulty in recognizing and verbalizing emotions) decreased; It was found that as the levels of avoidant and anxious ambivalent attachment increased, the levels of the same types of avoidance and alexithymia components increased. In addition, as the levels of cognitive behavioral avoidance types increase, alexithymia total, difficulty in recognizing emotions, difficulty verbalizing emotions, and extroverted thinking levels also increase.