The mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between attachment styles and somatization

The aim of this study is to investigate the mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between attachment styles and somatization. The predictive correlational model was used as the research method. Participants in the search included 273 people, with 175 women (64.1%) and 98 men (35.9%) identified using such a convenient sampling method. Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised, Somatization Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16, Demographic Information Form were used as data collection tools in the research. Data were collected online from April to May 2023. Groups t-Test was used in 2-groups and ANOVA was used in more than 2 groups to analyze the categorization status of the scores obtained from the scales used within the scope of the research according to the demographic variable. Pearson Correlation Analysis was used to analyze the relationships among the variables, and regression analysis based on the Bootstrap method was used to test the mediation effect. The Bootstrap method was used with 5000 resampling options in the analysis. Results showed that emotion regulation has a mediating role in the relationship between attachment styles and somatization. In terms of the variables relationships with one another, it was found that there is a positive and significant relationship between attachment styles from somatization, variables of emotion regulation from attachment styles, and variables of emotion regulation and somatization. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the variables of attachment styles according to gender and relationship status, difference between the variables of emotion regulation according to gender, education level and age, difference between somatization and gender and chronic illness. The results were discussed in the light of the literature, and suggestions for field experts and future studies were presented.