The Dual Mediating Effects of Distress Tolerance and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation on the Relationship between Abandonment Anxiety and Relationship Addiction During Early Adulthood

The present study aims to examine whether distress tolerance and difficulties in emotion regulation mediate the relationship between abandonment anxiety and relationship addiction. An online survey was conducted among emerging adults, an age group in which close relationship formation is known to be particularly salient, using standardized measures of abandonment anxiety, relationship addiction, distress tolerance, and difficulties in emotion regulation. Data from 388 participants (179 male, 209 female) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and PROCESS macro models 4 and 6 to test for mediation effects. The main findings are as follows. First, distress tolerance was found to partially mediate the relationship between abandonment anxiety and relationship addiction. Second, difficulties in emotion regulation showed a significant partial mediating effect in the same relationship. Third, both individual and sequential mediating effects of distress tolerance and difficulties in emotion regulation were statistically significant. These results suggest that individuals with high abandonment anxiety may be more susceptible to relationship addiction, and that this vulnerability is exacerbated by low distress tolerance and poor emotion regulation. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving emotional regulation capacities may be essential for individuals experiencing both attachment anxiety and addictive relational patterns.