The Relationship between Attachment Styles and Death Anxiety among Cardiovascular Patients

Abstract

Background & Aims: Attachment styles result from a child's early relationships with their primary care provider. We should bear in mind that there is a significant correlation between these styles and emotional disorders (death anxiety) occurring throughout an individual's life. If these connections are not formed correctly during early childhood, the individual will most likely suffer mental and physical illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, in the future. Therefore, the present research aims to investigate the relationship between attachment styles and death anxiety among cardiovascular patients. Methods: The research method used was descriptive-correlational. The research population includes all cardiovascular patients living in Shahriar city, Iran. Moreover, the statistical samples were 120 subjects selected with purposive sampling method from three private clinics (Marjan Jamshidi, Mahmoud Rekabi, and Salehi clinics). Research data were obtained using the Templer's Death Anxiety Scale (1970), and Hazan and Shaver's Adult Attachment Style Questionnaire. Results: Data analysis shows that among patients with cardiovascular disease the prevalence of severe death anxiety is 41.7%, average death anxiety 28.3%, and mild death anxiety 30%. In addition, there was a significant positive relation between insecure avoidant attachment style and insecure ambivalent attachment style, and death anxiety (P<0.01). In this study, the frequency of individuals with insecure attachments (avoidant and ambivalent) were higher than those with secure attachment. Conclusion: Therefore, research results show that there is a significant correlation between attachment styles and death anxiety among cardiovascular patients during adulthood.