The relationship between adult attachment styles, happiness, life satisfaction and depression

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between adult attachment styles, happiness, life satisfaction and depression. It was hypothesized that the both anxious and avoidant adults would have low levels of happiness and life satisfaction, and high levels of depression. In addition, avoidant and anxious attachment styles would predict happiness, life satisfaction and depression to interact with each other. Methods: The sample consisted of 255 volunteers whose ages ranged from 18 to 64, filled out a package including the measures of anxious and avoidant attachment (The Experiences in Close Relationships - Revised, ECR- R), depression (Beck Depression Scale), life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale- SWLS) and Sociodemographic and Personal Information Questionnaire. Results: The data obtained in the research are analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 23.0 program. Independent Samples T-test and One way ANOVA test are used. Games Howell Post Hoc test is used adjunctly to designate the differences after One way ANOVA test. Pearson correlation and stepwise regression analysis are used between continuous variables of the research. Conclusion: The result of this study indicated that the both anxious and avoidant attachment styles are positively correlated with depression and negatively correlated with happiness and life satisfaction. As expected, anxious and avoidant attachments are predictors of happiness and depression. However, Anxious and avoidant attachment models does not have an impact on life satisfaction. The research findings were discussed under the light of existing literature and suggestions were made for future studies.