Insecure Minds through the Looking Glass

The Mediating Role of Mentalization in the Relationships between Adult Attachment Styles and Problematic Social Media Use

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15475451
AutoresGianluca Santoro (0000-0002-9762-1510, University of Parma, autor de correspondencia), Antonino Costanzo (0009-0005-6501-9356, Università degli Studi di Enna Kore), Christian Franceschini (0000-0002-9307-5209, University of Parma), Vittorio Lenzo (0000-0001-8391-5123, University of Catania), Alessandro Musetti (0000-0003-4125-0068, University of Parma), Adriano Schimmenti (0000-0001-5181-2648, Università degli Studi di Enna Kore)
Año2024
Volumen21
Número3
Páginas255-255
Fecha de publicación2024-02-22
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph21030255
PMID38541257
OpenAlexW4392121887
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas87

Research shows that insecure attachment styles and failures in mentalizing are associated with increased problematic social media use (PSMU). This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of failures in mentalizing in the relationships between attachment styles and PSMU within a large sample of individuals from the community. The study involved the participation of 3600 adult volunteers (2312 females, 64.2%) aged between 18 and 60 years old (M = 29.92; SD = 10.68). Participants completed measures to assess socio-demographics, adult attachment styles, mentalization, and PSMU. Findings showed that secure and dismissing attachment styles predicted reduced levels of PSMU, and that preoccupied and fearful attachment styles predicted increased levels of PSMU. The relationships between adult attachment styles and PSMU were mediated by failures in mentalizing. Thus, individuals with preoccupied and fearful attachment styles may excessively resort to social media as a means of coping with unprocessed mental states. Clinical interventions that focus on improving mentalizing abilities and promoting the adoption of appropriate self-regulation strategies might reduce maladaptive engagement in social media

Attachment theory · Demographics · Developmental psychology · Insecure attachment · Mentalization · Psychological intervention · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Personality Traits and Psychology · Psychology