Relationship between loneliness and self-esteem with students’ attachment styles

The aim of this study was to examine relationship between loneliness and self-esteem with attachment styles in a sample of students from university of Mohaghegh Ardabili. Research method of this study was correlation.223 students (123 girls & 100 boys) who were selected by cluster sampling, were included in this study. All participants were asked to complete the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ), UCLA loneliness scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and regression analysis. The results revealed that secure and avoidant attachment styles were positively associated with self-esteem and negatively associated with loneliness. Anxious-ambivalent attachment style was negatively associated with self-esteem and positively associated with loneliness. There was negative association between self-esteem and loneliness. The results suggested that students' loneliness and self-esteem could be explained by different attachment styles. Secure and avoidant attachment styles increase levels of self-esteem, while decreasing loneliness. Anxious- ambivalent attachment style decreases self-esteem while increasing loneliness.