Abstract

Substantial evidence has established a connection between attachment insecurity and depressive symptoms. Although numerous mechanisms explain this relationship, the role of couple relationship quality as a mediator has received less attention, particularly within diverse cultural contexts. This study examined the direct and indirect associations between attachment insecurity and depressive symptoms through couple relationship quality, and the moderating effect of sex, and sexual orientation in Chilean adults involved in a couple relationship. 985 Chilean adults completed self-report measures of attachment insecurity, indicators of couple relationship quality (dyadic trust, emotional intimacy, positive sexuality, and relationship satisfaction), and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modelling analyses supported our proposed model, which explained 28% of the variance in depressive symptoms, and 32% of couple relationship quality. Attachment insecurity was associated with more depressive symptoms directly and indirectly, through lower couple relationship quality. The model was invariant across sex assigned at birth, and sexual orientation. This study suggests that one of the pathways through which attachment insecurity may contribute to poorer mental health is via lower couple relationship quality. For clinical practice, this study highlights that addressing attachment insecurity and couple relationship quality can be relevant in designing effective interventions for individuals with depressive symptoms.