prediction of Mental Health Based on Attachment Styles and Family Social Support in High School Students
Subject Areas : Journal of Excellence in counseling and psychotherapysina pourdadashi 1 , Hossien Aghadokht 2 , اسماعیل صدری دمیرچی 3 , reza borjibodghi 4
1 - Master's student. Family Counseling. Counseling Department. Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology. University of Mohaghegh Ardabil. Ardabil. Iran
2 - Master's student in Family Counseling. Counseling Department. Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology. University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. Ardabil. Iran
3 - Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi. Professor, Department of Counseling. University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. Ardabil. Iran
4 - Master's student. Rehabilitation Counseling. Counseling Department. Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology. University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. Ardabil. Iran
Keywords: Mental health, attachment styles, social support, high school students, family,
Abstract :
Purpose: The upper secondary school period is one of the most sensitive developmental stages of adolescence, during which mental health can be influenced by various factors. The present study aimed to examine the role of attachment styles (secure, avoidant, ambivalent) and perceived family social support in predicting the mental health of high school students.
Methodology: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on a sample of 296 upper secondary school students in Ardabil, Iran, selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Hazan and Shaver Attachment Styles Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and the Zimet Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis via SPSS version 26.
Findings: The findings indicated that attachment styles and family social support significantly predicted students’ mental health. Secure attachment style showed a significant positive relationship with mental health, whereas avoidant and ambivalent styles were associated with lower levels of mental health. Furthermore, family social support emerged as the most significant and strongest predictor among the variables studied.
Conclusion: The results underscore the importance of fostering secure attachment styles and enhancing family social support to promote adolescents’ mental health. These findings may inform the design of psychosocial interventions in school settings.
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