Contribution of Adult Attachment Patterns and Personality Factors in Explaining Depression

This study aimed at identifying the interpreted variance rate of depression, which the attachment patterns and personality factors elucidate. The study sample consisted of (50) depressed patients (23 males, 27 females) of the mental health care departments of the Royal Medical Services in Jordan. The researchers applied Beck Depression Inventory and Al-Yarmouk Scale for adult attachment patterns. A personality factor scale was developed for the purposes of this study, and validity and reliability evidences of the scales were estimated. The results showed that avoidant attachment is the most common with depressed patients, followed by the anxious attachment. Meanwhile, personality factors (rule-consciousness, flexible perfectionism, dominance, sensitivity, warmth and social boldness) are the most prevalent among depressed patients. The results further indicated that the personality factors (apprehension, social boldness and sensitivity) and the avoidant attachment explained (72.3%) of the depression variance rate. The results also showed differences between males and females on the (emotional stability and social boldness) of the personality factors, in favor of the males. Meanwhile, the differences in the conscience judgment factor were in favor of the females. However, there were no statistically significant differences attributed to the gender variable, in both adult attachment patterns and depression.