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Updated: Mar 17, 2026

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Social anxiety as a potential mediator of the association between attachment and depression
Susanne Manes1, Steffi Nodop1, Uwe Altmann1
1Jena University Hospital, Institute of Psychosocial Medicine and Psychotherapy, Germany.
Objective:
The study represents a conceptual replication of the study by Eng et al. (2001) in a sample of adult patients diagnosed with social anxiety disorder as primary diagnosis.
Methods:
Two different attachment questionnaires (Bielefeld Questionnaire of Client Expectations (BQCE) and Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR-RD)) were applied to examine whether the effect of attachment on depression (measured by the BDI) is mediated by social anxiety (measured by the LSAS) in a cross-sectional study.
Results:
The data confirms such a mediation. The effect of attachment measured with the BQCE on depression was completely mediated, whereas the effect of both scales of the ECR-RD (attachment related avoidance and anxiety) on depression was only partially mediated by social anxiety disorder.
Conclusion:
The study supports the association of attachment, social anxiety, and depressive symptoms and the need to consider different perspectives on attachment.
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