Emotions Through Screens: Impact of Adult Attachment Style

Abstract

Prior studies have examined the impact of high social media use on emotional regulation strategies, emphasizing the important role of individuals’ two-dimensional attachment styles—specifically, anxious and avoidant attachment- in this connection. This study aimed to examine how social media usage influences emotional regulation strategies through four-dimensional adult attachment styles in individuals aged 18 to 35. Using a sample of 348 participants (156 males and 192 females), this study explores the serial multiple mediation effects of preoccupied and fearful attachment styles on the relationship between social media usage and emotional regulation. The findings indicate that social media usage has a significant direct impact on both fearful and preoccupied attachment styles. Fearful attachment style significantly predicts expressive suppression, suggesting that individuals manage their fear of rejection and maintain a facade of emotional control through social media. Conversely, preoccupied attachment style negatively predicts expressive suppression, which suggests that these individuals might seek emotional expression and reassurance through their social media interactions.