The Relationship Between Adult Attachment, Early Maladaptive Schemas and Alcohol Use in a Student Population

Previous research has identified a relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and substance dependence, but there is a dearth of research investigating EMS and alcohol use in non-clinical populations, despite alcohol being the most commonly misused substance in the UK population. The aim of this study was to explore if EMS mediate the relationship between adult insecure romantic attachment (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and alcohol use in a student population. A cross-sectional study of 128 student participants were recruited through the University of Liverpool intranet and by poster advertisement. Participants completed self-report measures comprising of: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ), Drinking Motive Questionnaire-Revised Short Form (DMQ-R SF), Experiences in Close Relationships –Revised (ECR-R) and Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form, Third Version (YSQ-S3). Bias-corrected bootstrapping indicated that the EMS domain ‘impaired limits’ mediated the relationship between adult insecure romantic attachment (both attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and alcohol use. Furthermore ‘impaired limits’ and drinking to cope with depression and anxiety were serial mediators in the relationship between attachment avoidance and alcohol use, but not for attachment anxiety and alcohol use. This research highlights the relationship between EMS and avoidant coping strategies (attachment avoidance and drinking to cope) on drinking behaviour. Key Words: Alcohol, student, schema, attachment, drinking motives