Emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between insecure attachment and subjective health outcomes

Abstract

This study investigated the mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between adult insecure attachment and subjective ill health. A sample of 343 Australian adults, aged between 18 and 77 years, completed measures of attachment, emotional intelligence and four facets of subjective health: somatic, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression. Structural equation modelling showed that both anxious insecure attachment and avoidant insecure attachment were associated with lower emotional intelligence, which in turn was related to poorer subjective health outcomes. Emotional intelligence partially mediated the relationship between anxious insecurity and health outcomes. However, emotional intelligence fully mediated the relationship between avoidant insecurity and health outcomes. Results support a model in which insecure attachment is associated with deficits in emotional intelligence, which in turn is related to poorer health outcomes. We explore different mechanisms through which the two types of insecure attachment may impact on health.