Adult Attachment and Psychological Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Personality

The main aim of the current study was to identify the links between attachment and psychological well-being (PWB) and analyze the personality characteristics that mediated these relationships. The sample was made up of 1403 adults (mean age 37.2 years). The results indicated positive correlations between secure attachment and PWB dimensions, whereas avoidant and anxious attachment were negatively associated with PWB. Significant relationships were found between attachment orientations and different Big Five personality traits, particularly neuroticism. Self-esteem also showed strong links with attachment orientations. Dominance analyses demonstrated that certain personality traits—neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, and self-esteem—had a greater relative importance than attachment orientations for different PWB dimensions. The greatest contribution of attachment was to positive relations with others. The results of mediation analyses showed direct effects of attachment orientations on PWB dimensions, as well as indirect effects through personality characteristics. Self-esteem was an important mediator in all relationships between attachment and PWB. These findings could have significant practical implications in promoting well-being.