The Impact of Early Losses, Attachment, Temperament-Character Traits and Affect Regulation on the Development of Psychopathology

Objective: The role of developmental issues and the constitutional factors are crucial for the conceptualization of psychopathology. The main aim of this research was to investigate the impact of early losses, attachment styles, affect regulation, and temperament-character traits on psychopathology. Furthermore, we also wanted to examine affect regulation and attachment styles as mediators of harm avoidance temperament trait and psychopathology. Method: The patient cohort was composed of two groups: a clinical group (n = 224) and a healthy control group (n = 61). The clinical group included major depressive disorder (n = 78), anxiety disorder (n = 74), and somatization disorder (n = 72). Data collection tools involved Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and The Experiences in Close Relationships-II, Temperament Character Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Early Losses Search Form. Results: The losses that the clinical group experienced during their childhood period were higher than the control group. The clinical group had more anxious and avoidant attachment styles; had more difficulties in emotion regulation; used the adaptational cognitive emotion regulation strategies less and the non-adaptational strategies more; and had higher harm avoidance scores than the healthy group. Moreover, it was found that both the emotion regulation difficulties and attachment styles had a partial mediating effect on harm avoidance and depression and anxiety. Conclusion: In conclusion, early relationships and experiences have an impact on further development of psychopathology and are important in understanding the etiology of depression and anxiety.