Abstract:

Aim: In this study, we aimed to compare the attachment styles and emotion regulation difficulties of mothers of adolescents with psychiatric disorders and mothers of healthy adolescents. Material and methods: In this case-control study, the DSM-5 diagnostic system was used for psychiatricdiagnoses of adolescents, the Difficulties in Emotion RegulationScale-Short Form (DERS-S) to measure mothers' emotional dysregulation levels, and the Relationships Scales Questionnaire(RSQ) to assess mothers' attachment styles. Results: Only fearful attachment style scores weres tatistically higher in mothers of adolescents with psychiatric illness compared to mothers in the control group (p=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of DERS-S total and sub-dimension scores and secure, preoccupied and dismissive attachment styles sub-dimension scores (p>0.05). The group with the highest DERS-S total score and all sub-dimension scores (except DERS-S non-acceptance) was the group of ADHD (Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) mothers. The mothers of the adolescents with anxiety disorders had the highest fearful attachment style score, the dismissive score was found in ADHD, the secure score was highest in the OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders) group, and the preoccupied attachment style score was found in the mothers of the MDD (Major depressive disorder) group. While the mean fearful attachment style score was statistically significantly higher in the anxiety disorders group than in the control group (p=0.038); There was no statistically significantdifference between the groups in terms of ADHD, MDD and OCD averages((p>0.05). Conclusion: Maternal attachment style and emotion regulation skills affect and change the risk of predisposition to psychopathology in the child.

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