Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences

Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences

Investigating the relationship between attachment styles and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and dyslexia in secondary school boys of the second year of Tehran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Narges Asadi Mahalchali 1
Hossein Khedmatgozar 2
1 Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ga.C., Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran.
2 Department of Psychology, Ga.C., Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran. (Corresponding Author)
10.22038/mjms.2025.26361
Abstract
Introduction: Adolescent attachment styles have a deep relationship with emotion regulation mechanisms; insecure styles (anxious or avoidant) reduce the ability to identify and express emotions (alexithymia) and increase the tendency to negative emotions. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment styles with symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and alexithymia in second-year male high school students in Tehran.
Methods: The research method was descriptive correlational. The statistical population of the study included all second-year male high school students in Tehran, District 13. (N=3278). A sample size of 344 people was selected from the present statistical population based on the Morgan table using cluster random sampling. The Toronto alexithymia questionnaire, Collins and Reed Attachment Style Questionnaire, and Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Questionnaire were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 software and Pearson correlation coefficient test and multiple regression with respect to statistical assumptions.
Results: The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between all dimensions of attachment styles and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and alexithymia (P≥ 0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it can be said that insecure attachment style (anxious/avoidant) is associated with weakness in emotion regulation and increased alexithymia, which intensifies symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder in students.
Keywords
Attachment Styles
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Alexithymia
Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 68, Issue 1
March and April 2025
Pages 180-190