Estilos de Apego y Dificultades de Regulación Emocional en Estudiantes Universitarios

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between attachment styles and emotion regulation difficulties in a purposive sample of 548 undergraduate students attending 4 universities in Antofagasta, Chile. The instru ments used were the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR-E) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-E) . The results of multivariate analysis of variance and post hoc contrasts reveal statistically significant differences in emotion regulation difficulties according to attachment styles. Specifically, subjects with secure attachment styles had lower levels of confusion than those with insecure styles; moreover, they manifested lower levels of lack of control, emotional rejection, and daily interference than individuals with preoccupied and fearful styles; however, they did not differ from those with dismissive styles. In addition, the highest levels of lack of emotional awareness and emotional confusion were detected among individuals with dismissive and fearful attachment styles. Finally, individuals with preoccupied and fearful attachment styles showed more emotional rejection and daily interference. The implications of explaining difficulties in emotion regulation within the framework of attach ment theory are discussed.