The Mediating-Moderating Role of Women's Perceived Discrimination in Relation to Attachment Styles and Depression

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Organizational Psychology,

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Esfahan

Abstract

This research was administered with the aim of investigating the mediating­moderating role of women's perceived discrimination (beliefs in a just world) in relation to attachment styles and depression. The statistical populations consisted of the total of unemployed women in low, medium and high districts of the city of Esfahan. Three hundred women were selected using cluster random sampling for answering the research instruments from the above three districts. Research questionnaires were: closed relationship (with 36 items for assessment of anxious and avoidant attachment), belief in a just world for women (perceived discrimination toward women with 8 items) and depression questionnaire (with 20 items). Data were analyzed using structural equation modelling (using LISREL software), moderated hierarchical regression analysis (using SPSS) and indirect effect test (using INDIRECT macro). The results of structure equation modelling showed that, on the basis of goodness of fit indexes, research data fit most highly with complete anxious attachment In the other words, in relation between anxious attachments with depression, perceived discrimination plays the complete mediator role. but m relational model of avoidant attachment with depression, perceived c:s.:r."r:-r- .• ~•mn plays the partial mediator role. The results of moderated r:::::-.:.. re t:cal regression analysis and indirect effect analysis showed ~·- _: C:~e exists only a significant indirect effect between a:l"{.;..LTl.:S C:.::....c~! and depression through perceived discrimination towcrd t; .:_== "t:;:' ~i' m a just world for women).

Keywords