Association between Attachment Styles and Depression Severity in Young Adults from Divorced or Single-Parent Households - A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Early attachment experiences significantly influence cognitive schemas and interpersonal connections. Depression, affecting 280 million globally, has genetic and environmental origins. The link between childhood attachment styles and depression is extensively researched, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Methods: Adhering to STROBE guidelines, the study includes 165 participants aged 18 to 30, diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Data collection involves ECR-R for attachment styles and BDI-II for depression severity. Statistical analyses include frequency distributions and chi-square tests. Results: Demographic findings revealeda diverse sample, primarily university students from divorced families. Attachment styles distribution indicates a balance between secure and dismissing patterns. Depression severity is notably moderate. Secure attachments correlate with lower instances of severe depression, while preoccupied and fearful styles predict higher severity. Conclusion: The study underscores the intricate link between attachment styles and depression severity in young adults from divorced or single-parent households. Secure attachments show protective effects, emphasizing the lasting impact of early experiences. Keywords: Major Depressive Disorder, Mental Health, Parent-Child Relations, Young Adults.