The role of shame and self-consciousness in the relationship between attachment and paranoia in an Iranian sample: A moderated mediation analysis

Abstract Background Early life experiences increase vulnerability to paranoid thoughts, and attachment theory has been used as a conceptual framework to explain this causal pathway. The purpose of this study was to identify and highlight the mediating and moderating mechanisms in the relationship between attachment styles and paranoia in a non-clinical sample. Method The current research was a cross-sectional design. A sample of 331 university students was collected by available and online sampling at a period of 3 months. They completed the Paranoia scale (PS), Relationship scales questionnaire (RSQ), Internal and External Shame Scale (EISS), and Self-consciousness scale (SCS). Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, and Process Macro. Results The results showed that avoidant and anxious attachment was related to paranoia and shame mediates this relationship. On the other hand, self-consciousness as a buffering moderated and weakened the relationship between attachment and paranoia. Conclusion The present study provided preliminary evidence for the mediating and moderating roles of shame and self-consciousness in the relationship between attachment and paranoia.