The Relationship between Attachment Styles and Individual Perceptions of God with the Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas in Women

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between attachment styles and perceptions of God through the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas among women members of a mysticism group in Amol.

Materials and Methods: The research methodology was descriptive-correlative and based on a structural equation modeling approach. In the proposed model, the dependent variable (perception of God) was defined as an endogenous variable, and the independent variable (attachment styles) was considered an exogenous variable. Additionally, early maladaptive schemas were included as mediating variables in the model. The study population consisted of all female members of the mysticism group in Amol during the first quarter of 2023. A total of 225 participants were selected from this population using a convenience sampling method. The sample size was determined based on Stevens's suggestion (as cited in Hooman, 2011), recommending at least 15 participants per research path, thus 75 participants were considered for each variable, culminating in a total sample size of 225. Three questionnaires were employed in this study: the Perception of God Questionnaire from Lawrence's (1997) Religious Status Scale, Hazan and Shaver's (1985) Attachment Style Questionnaire, and Young's (2003) Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire. The proposed model was evaluated using SPSS version 24 and Amos version 24 software.

Findings: The results indicated a significant relationship between attachment styles and perception of God through the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas among the women of the mysticism group in Amol.

Conclusion: It is recommended to use training based on approaches to secure attachment styles among women to increase and enhance their perception of God. It is also suggested to use training in skills related to positive psychology for women to help enhance their perception of God using these approaches.