Attachment, Depression, and Health: A Longitudinal Analysis of Those with A Chronic Disease

Despite previous literature illustrating strong links between social relations, mental health, and physical health, much remains unknown regarding the associations among adult romantic attachment, depressive symptoms, and reports of physical health within adults diagnosed with a chronic disease. The present study used a mediated latent growth curve analysis to examine to what extent trajectories of reported physical health across two years were a function of attachment and depressive symptoms among a sample of 197 individuals who were mostly White, middle class, college educated, in a committed heterosexual relationship, and reported a diagnosed chronic disease. Results indicated that as depressive symptoms increased, initial levels of physical health were worse. Higher attachment anxiety was linked with better initial rates of physical health. Further, higher depressive symptoms and attachment anxiety predicted a significant upward shift in the trajectory of improved physical health. Results offer merit to social and mental health professionals as well as researchers to understand and incorporate a biopsychosocial approach. Further clinical and research implications are considered.