Relationship between Attachment Styles and Empathy in Young Adults: Mediating Role of Interpersonal Mindfulness

Objective: This research was conducted to examine the mediating role of interpersonal mindfulness in the relationship between attachment styles and empathy level in young adults. Method: The study group consisted of 476 young adults studying at various universities in Turkey who had experience in romantic relationships. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 30 (M=21.00±1.86). Research data were collected using Personal Information Form, Toronto Empathy Scale, Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale, and Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised-Short Form. Results: Significant negative correlations were found between anxious attachment and interpersonal mindfulness (r=-.25) and empathy (r=-.14) scores. Negative correlations were found between avoidant attachment and interpersonal mindfulness (r=-.15) and empathy (r=-.11) scores. Furthermore, a positive and significant relationship was found between interpersonal mindfulness and empathy (r=.47) scores. According to the results of the mediation analysis, while the direct effect of anxiety and avoidance levels of young adults on empathy was not significant, the indirect effect and total effect were found to be significant. Conclusion: Anxious and avoidant attachment styles in young adults significantly predicted empathy level and that interpersonal mindfulness mediated this relationship. This result suggests that problems in close relationships may be associated with attachment styles and interpersonal mindfulness.