Attachment style and self-esteem: The mediating role of Type D personality

Previous research indicates that attachment style, Type D personality and self-esteem may be interrelated. The present study hypothesizes that Type D personality mediates the relationship between attachment and self-esteem. Participants (n = 555) filled in questionnaires on Type D personality (DS14), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and attachment (Relationship Questionnaire; RQ). Direct effects and the mediation model were evaluated through multiple logistic regression analyses and Sobel tests. Attachment style and Type D personality were both significantly related to self-esteem. Moreover, attachment style was significantly associated with Type D personality. Sobel tests confirmed that Type D personality partly mediates the relationship between attachment style and self-esteem. This is the first study to date exploring possible mediators affecting the well established link between attachment style and self-esteem.