Prediction of Loneliness Feeling based on Attachment Style and Alexithymia with the Mediation of Self-Compassion

Abstract

The social connection is one of the important needs. The inability to establish and maintain successful relationships with others leads to experiencing loneliness. This study was conducted to predict loneliness feeling based on attachment style and alexithymia with the mediation of self-compassion. The research method was Structural Equation Modeling. The research population included all students aged 18 to 26 years of Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran branch in the academic year 2023-2024, using the convenience method, 384 people were selected as a sample and responded to the Student Loneliness Feeling Scale by Asher et al., Hazan & Shaver Adult Attachment Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale by Taylor et al., and Neff Self-Compassion Scale. The data were analyzed with Hayes regression model 4. The findings showed that secure attachment style negatively and insecure attachment styles and alexithymia positively predicted loneliness feeling. Self-compassion negatively predicted loneliness feeling. The secure attachment style positively, and insecure attachment styles and alexithymia negatively predicted self-compassion. Hence, attachment styles and alexithymia predicted loneliness feeling directly and indirectly through self-compassion. The research findings can be used in designing preventive interventions and providing practical solutions to reduce loneliness feeling in Iranian students.

Keywords

• alexithymia
• attachment style
• loneliness feeling
• self-compassion