The Relationship Between Fear of Intimacy, Paranoid Thoughts, and Marital Problems: The Mediating Role of Attachment Styles

Introduction: For many adults, relationships with their spouses are among the most significant connections in life. A fulfilling romantic relationship is a strong predictor of psychological well-being, physical health, and overall life satisfaction. Paranoid thoughts and fear of intimacy are critical factors in determining the stability of marital relationships.Method: The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of attachment styles in the relationship between fear of intimacy and paranoid thoughts, as well as their impact on marital problems among couples. The research was descriptive and correlational, with the study population consisting of all couples in Ardebil city. A sample of 250 individuals was selected using a convenience sampling method. Participants in the study included 108 females and 142 males, who were asked to complete the Fear of Intimacy Scale (FIS), the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (ECR-R), the Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (GRIMS), and the Revised Paranoid Thought Scale (R-GPTS). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and path analysis, employing SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24 software.Results: The results indicated that fear of intimacy and paranoid thoughts are significantly positively correlated with avoidant and anxious attachment styles. Additionally, avoidant and anxious attachment styles also show a significant positive relationship with marital problems among couples.Discussion and conclusion: The results of the path analysis confirm that attachment styles mediate the relationship between fear of intimacy, paranoid thoughts, and marital problems in couples.