The Role of Metacognitions on the Relationship Between Adult Attachment and Mood Symptoms in Individuals with Obesity

In order to examine psychological mechanisms contributing to the development and maintenance of mood symptoms experienced by individuals with obesity, this study focused on the mediator role of metacognitions in the relationship between adult attachment dimensions (anxious and avoidant) and mood symptoms (depression and anxiety). A 184 individuals with Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above completed a battery of instruments including measures of attachment styles, metacognitive beliefs and processes, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Multiple mediation analyses with bootstrapping demonstrated that while attachment anxiety was predictive of greater levels of depression and anxiety through the effect of beliefs about uncontrollability and dangerousness of worry, metacognitive factors have no mediator role in the relationship between avoidant attachment and mood symptoms. Findings suggest in particular that anxious attachment and metacognitive characteristics might be considered in case conceptualizations and intervention strategies for the psychological problems experienced by individuals with obesity.Level of Evidence: Level V: Descriptive (cross-sectional) study.