Research Article

Investigating attachment styles and automatic thoughts on emotion regulation in early adolescence

Number: 77 January 31, 2026
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Investigating attachment styles and automatic thoughts on emotion regulation in early adolescence

Abstract

This study examined the predictive roles of attachment styles and automatic thoughts in emotion regulation during early adolescence. Participants were 320 middle school students aged 10–14. Data were collected using the Attachment Styles Scale, Automatic Thoughts Scale, and Emotion Regulation Scale. Pearson correlation analyses were used to assess relationships among variables, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of emotion regulation components. The results showed that secure attachment style positively predicted cognitive reappraisal, while anxious/ambivalent attachment positively predicted emotional suppression. Avoidant attachment was not a significant predictor of either reappraisal or suppression in this sample. Additionally, higher levels of negative automatic thoughts were associated with lower use of reappraisal and greater use of suppression. These findings highlight the importance of cognitive and relational factors in shaping emotion regulation during early adolescence.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical authorization was obtained from the researchers’ university ethics board, followed by authorization from the Ethics Committee of the Provincial Directorate of National Education where the data were collected.

References

  1. Asendorpf, J. B., & Wilpers, S. (2000). Attachment security and available support: Closely linked relationship qualities. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17(1), 115–138. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407500171006
  2. Barrett, L. F., Gross, J. J., Christensen, T. C., & Benvenuto, M. (2001). Knowing what you're feeling and knowing what to do about it: Mapping the relation between emotion differentiation and emotion regulation. Cognition and Emotion, 15(6), 713–724. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930143000239
  3. Beck, A. T. (2005). Cognitive therapy and emotional disorders (A. Türkcan, Trans.). Litera Publishing.
  4. Beck, A. T. (2014). Foundations and beyond of cognitive behavioral therapy (M. Şahin & I. T. Cömert, Trans.). Nobel Academic Publishing.
  5. Beck, A. T., Freeman, A., & Davis, D. (2008). Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. Litera Publishing.
  6. Bedel, A., & Özdemir, B. (2021). The role of automatic thought and decision-making styles in explaining middle school students’ problem-solving skills. Marmara Üniversitesi Atatürk Eğitim Fakültesi Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 53, 309–325. https://doi.org/10.15285/maruaebd.732700
  7. Blake, J. A. (2024). Attachment in young adults and life satisfaction at age 30. Applied Research in Quality of Life. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-024-10297-x
  8. Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. Basic Books.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

School Counseling

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 31, 2026

Submission Date

November 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 77

APA
Aydin, O., & Arslan, Ü. (2026). Investigating attachment styles and automatic thoughts on emotion regulation in early adolescence. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, 77, 86-101. https://doi.org/10.21764/maeuefd.1825842
AMA
1.Aydin O, Arslan Ü. Investigating attachment styles and automatic thoughts on emotion regulation in early adolescence. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty. 2026;(77):86-101. doi:10.21764/maeuefd.1825842
Chicago
Aydin, Oznur, and Ümüt Arslan. 2026. “Investigating Attachment Styles and Automatic Thoughts on Emotion Regulation in Early Adolescence”. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, nos. 77: 86-101. https://doi.org/10.21764/maeuefd.1825842.
EndNote
Aydin O, Arslan Ü (January 1, 2026) Investigating attachment styles and automatic thoughts on emotion regulation in early adolescence. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty 77 86–101.
IEEE
[1]O. Aydin and Ü. Arslan, “Investigating attachment styles and automatic thoughts on emotion regulation in early adolescence”, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, no. 77, pp. 86–101, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.21764/maeuefd.1825842.
ISNAD
Aydin, Oznur - Arslan, Ümüt. “Investigating Attachment Styles and Automatic Thoughts on Emotion Regulation in Early Adolescence”. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty. 77 (January 1, 2026): 86-101. https://doi.org/10.21764/maeuefd.1825842.
JAMA
1.Aydin O, Arslan Ü. Investigating attachment styles and automatic thoughts on emotion regulation in early adolescence. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty. 2026;:86–101.
MLA
Aydin, Oznur, and Ümüt Arslan. “Investigating Attachment Styles and Automatic Thoughts on Emotion Regulation in Early Adolescence”. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, no. 77, Jan. 2026, pp. 86-101, doi:10.21764/maeuefd.1825842.
Vancouver
1.Oznur Aydin, Ümüt Arslan. Investigating attachment styles and automatic thoughts on emotion regulation in early adolescence. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty. 2026 Jan. 1;(77):86-101. doi:10.21764/maeuefd.1825842

Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty

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