Evolved mechanisms in adolescent anxiety and depression symptoms: the role of the attachment and social rank systems

One hundred and forty adolescent students were assessed on measures of attachment, social rank (social comparison and submissive behaviour), and depression and anxiety symptoms. Secure attachment was significantly correlated with positive social comparison and inversely with submissive behaviour, depression and anxiety symptoms. In contrast, insecure attachment of both avoidance and ambivalence was associated with unfavourable comparison with others, and positively correlated with submissive behaviour, depression and anxiety symptoms. Exploring the relationship of attachment with depression and anxiety symptoms revealed that this link might have different routes through social rank perceptions. For secure attachment, social rank concerns (i.e. social comparison and submissive behaviour) did not mediate the linkage with anxiety or depression symptoms. However, for insecure attachment, social rank concerns showed either a partial or complete mediation of these relationships. This data may indicate that insecure attachment sensitizes individuals to become focused on the competitive dynamics of groups, the power of others to shame, hurt or reject, and the need to defend against these possibilities.