Relationship between Attachment Styles and Depression among Thai Nursing Students
Keywords:
Attachment styles, Depression, Nursing studentsAbstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that nursing students are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues, especially depression. While several studies have explored the factors associated with depression in this group, few have examined individual differences, such as attachment styles, in relation to these mental health challenges. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between attachment styles and depressive symptoms among nursing students in the Thai context. The online survey questionnaire was used to collect the data from 112 undergraduate nursing students. The Attachment Styles Questionnaire Short Form and The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, 10-item version were administered to all participants. The results of present research showed that nursing students’ attachment styles were significantly associated with depression using Pearson’s correlation analysis (p < .01). From the two aspects of attachment styles, namely secure and insecure, higher secure attachment was related to fewer depressive symptoms (r = -.51, p < .01). The best predictor of depression was attachment preoccupied and confidence (R² = 0.46, p < 0.01). The findings highlight the importance of nursing students’ attachment styles for early detection of depressive symptoms and ways to promote mental health and well-being of nursing students in universities.
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