The relationship between insecure attachment styles and eating disorder symptoms: The mediating role of mentalization and eating disorder beliefs

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders cause severe psychological and medical risks, necessitating an in-depth understanding of potential predisposing factors. This study examines the mediating roles of mentalization and eating disorder beliefs in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and eating disorder symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In terms of the purpose, the research was fundamental, and the research method was among the descriptive researches of the correlation type. A total of 490 students (Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch) were selected using convenience sampling based on a correlational design. They completed the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale, the Adult Attachment Scale, the Mentalization Questionnaire, and the Eating Disorder Belief Questionnaire. This research uses descriptive statistics methods including frequency, mean, and standard deviation and inferential methods including model structural equations. RESULTS: Avoidant attachment shows a significant indirect effect on eating disorder symptoms with eating disorder beliefs as a mediator (β = 0.109; P = 0.000), mentalization (certainty) as a mediator (β = 0.186; P = 0.000), and mentalization (uncertainty) as a mediator (β = 0.068; P = 0.000). Similarly, anxious attachment has a significant indirect effect on eating disorder symptoms, with eating disorder beliefs as a mediator (β = 0.072; P = 0.000), mentalization (certainty) as a mediator (β = 0.125; P = 0.000), and mentalization (uncertainty) as a mediator (β = 0.063). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the critical influence of insecure attachment and cognitive distortions in the development and maintenance of eating disorder symptoms, suggesting that interventions targeting mentalization and eating disorder beliefs could mitigate the impact of insecure attachment on these disorders.