Attachment Styles, Self-Esteem and their Relationship with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Traits

This research investigates the relationship between attachment styles, self-esteem and obsessive compulsive symptoms. It has five hypothesis. First hypothesis is that there is a negative correlation between obsessive compulsive symptoms and self-esteem. Second is that low self-esteem will bee seen mostly with insecure attachment styles. Third hypothesis is that there is a negative correlation between insecure attachment styles and obsessive compulsive symptoms. Fourth hypothesis is that self-esteem is a mediator between attachment styles and obsessive compulsive symptoms. Fifth hypothesis is that attachment styles will predict obsessive compulsive symptoms and self-esteem. These hypotheses were tested on 444 participants using Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory, Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Question List, Experiences in Close Relationships-II, Beck Depression Inventory and demographical questions. According to the correlational analyses, it is found that there is a positive correlation between anxious and fearful attachment styles and obsessive compulsive symptoms. Also, anxious attachment style and obsessive compulsive symptoms are negatively correlated with self-esteem. However, avoidant attachment style is not correlated with obsessive compulsive symptoms and self-esteem. Regression analyses showed that attachment styles predict obsessive compulsive symptoms and self-esteem. However, the regression analyses could not detect self-esteem's mediating role in the relationship between attachment styles and obsessive compulsive symptoms. Possible links between attachment styles, obsessive compulsive symptoms and self-esteem are discussed in the light of current findings and previous literature, along with contributions of the findings in theoretical and practical area, limitations and suggestions for future research.