Mentalization as Mediator between Adult Attachment and Interpersonal Distress

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of mentalization in the association between adult attachment and interpersonal problems. METHODS: The sample consisted of 89 patients with different types of mental disorders who were at the beginning of treatment in one of two medical centers. Both mediational analysis and path analysis were used to test the model. RESULTS: The proposed model revealed a good model fit. The data indicate that mentalization fully mediates the effect of attachment on interpersonal distress. Symptom severity proved to be a strong confounding variable that influenced all other variables and reduced existing effects. CONCLUSION: We conclude that both mentalization and symptom distress are key components in the association of adult attachment and interpersonal problems. Therefore, we recommend research on integrative psychotherapy concepts rather than unilateral approaches.