Adult Attachment, Depressive Symptoms, and Validation From Self Versus Others Meifen Wei Iowa State University Brent Mallinckrodt University of Missouri—Columbia Lisa M. Larson and Robyn A. Zakalik Iowa State University Attachment working models of self and others may govern adults’ preferences for internal vs. external sources of reassurance, which, if unavailable, lead to depressive symptoms. This study examined a model in which the link between depressive symptoms and attachment anxiety is mediated by (a) capacity for self-reinforcement and (b) need for reassurance from others, whereas the link between depressive symptoms and attachment avoidance is mediated only by the capacity for self-reinforcement. Analysis of survey data from 425 undergraduates indicated that both capacity for self-reinforcement and need for reassurance from others partially mediated the link between attachment anxiety and depression. Capacity for self-reinforcement fully mediated the link between attachment avoidance and depression. Moreover, 54% of the variance in depressive symptoms was explained by attachment anxiety, self-reinforcement, and need for reassurance from others. A growing body of research suggests a strong link between depressive symptoms and adult attachment insecurity (e.g., Besser & Priel, 2003; Carnelley, Pietromonaco, & Jaffe, 1994; Roberts, Gotlib, & Kassel, 1996; Wei, Heppner, & Mallinckrodt, 2003; Wei, Mallinckrodt, Russell, & Abraham, 2004). Attachment inse- curity in many recent studies has been operationalized according to the two relatively orthogonal dimensions identified by Brennan, Clark, and Shaver (1998). In their study, over 300 items drawn from 14 self-report inventories were administered to over 1,000 college students. Of the two dimensions that emerged from this factor analysis, adult attachment anxiety is characterized by a fear of abandonment and a preoccupation with one’s partner, whereas adult attachment avoidance involves fears of intimacy and reluc- tance to rely on others for interpersonal needs (Brennan et al., 1998). Generally, the positive associations with depressive symp- toms or other symptoms of psychological distress tend to be stronger for attachment anxiety than for attachment avoidance, although statistically significant direct effects for both types of insecure attachment have been reported (Mallinckrodt & Wei, 2005; Wei et al., 2003, 2004). Recently, increased attention has been focused on attempts to identify variables that mediate links between insecure attachment and various types of distress. Among the significant mediators examined thus far are (a) dysfunctional attitudes and low self- esteem (Roberts et al., 1996), (b) problem coping styles or per- ceived coping effectiveness (Lopez, Mauricio, Gormley, Simko, & Berger, 2001; Wei et al., 2003), (c) self-splitting and self- concealment (Lopez, Mitchell, & Gormley, 2002), (d) social self- efficacy and emotional awareness (Mallinckrodt & Wei, 2005), (e) affect regulation (Wei, Vogel, Ku, & Zakalik, 2005), and (f) maladaptive perfectionism (Wei et al., 2004). Some research has attempted to identify particular mediators that are more helpful in connection with one dimension of attachment insecurity than an- other. For example, Wei et al. (2005) found that the link between attachment anxiety and negative mood was mediated only by emotional reactivity but not emotional cutoff (e.g., suppression), whereas the link between attachment avoidance and negative mood was mediated only by emotional cutoff but not emotional reactivity. Findings from studies of this type could contribute to a better understanding of how specific patterns of adult attachment lead to vulnerabilities for particular types of maladaptive function- ing and help to formulate suggestions for developing appropriate counseling interventions. Therefore, it is important to continue the search for attachment-specific mediators in connection with spe- cific symptoms. The general purpose of the present study was to explore two potential mediators for the link between adult attach- ment insecurity (avoidance or anxiety) and depressive symptoms: (a) the need for reassurance or validation from others and (b) the capacity for self-reinforcement. According to attachment theory, children develop internal work- ing models of self and others on the basis of the responsiveness of their caregivers (Bartholomew, 1990; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991; Bowlby, 1973, 1979; Pietromonaco & Feldman Barrett, 2000). In general, inconsistent parental responsiveness in child- hood is believed to foster a negative working model of self in adulthood. These adults, therefore, tend to see themselves as unworthy of care from others, doubt their value as relationship Meifen Wei, Lisa M. Larson, and Robyn A. Zakalik, Department of Psychology, Iowa State University; Brent Mallinckrodt, Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Mis- souri—Columbia. We thank Shanna Behrendsen, Anne Giusto, and Mike McGregor for their assistance with data collection. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Meifen Wei, Department of Psychology, W112 Lagomarcino Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3180. E-mail: wei@iastate.edu Journal of Counseling Psychology Copyright 2005 by the American Psychological Association 2005, Vol. 52, No. 3, 368 –377 0022-0167/05/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/0022-0167.52.3.368 368