Investigating the Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Self-Compassion Levels in University Students
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between university students’ self-compassion levels and attachment styles and to contribute to the literature by revealing whether this relationship differs according to demographic variables such as gender, university type and relationship status.
Materials and Methods: The research involved 272 university students aged 18-26. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form, the Three-Dimensional Attachment Styles Scale, and the Self-Compassion Scale.
Results: The findings indicate that gender plays a significant role in self-compassion and attachment styles (p < .001). Men were found to have significantly higher levels of self-judgment compared to women, while women scored higher on secure attachment (p < .001). Additionally, avoidant attachment scores were higher in men, whereas anxious attachment scores were higher in women (respectively, p < .001, p = .046). Regarding university type, state university students were found to have higher levels of self-judgment than private university students(p = .030). When relationship status was considered, students without a relationship exhibited higher anxious attachment scores compared to those in a relationship (p = .002).
Conclusions: These results suggest that self-compassion and attachment styles vary based on individuals’ demographic characteristics, and these differences are significant in the context of psychological well-being and interpersonal relationships.
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Kaynakça
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