The Relationship between Attachment Styles with Successful Aging and Death Anxiety: The Mediating Role of Resilience

Given the increasing older adult population in the near future in Iran, understanding the status of this age group in various domains, including physical health and mental well-being, has become increasingly important, necessitating attention to this demographic. Therefore, understanding the factors contributing to increased levels of successful aging and reduced death anxiety seems to be crucial. Considering that attachment styles play a significant role in shaping mental and physical health throughout life, this research aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment styles and successful aging and death anxiety with the mediating role of resilience. This was a descriptive-correlational study using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population comprised all older adults residing in Kermanshah, Iran during the years 2024-2025, among whom 332 individuals were selected using convenience sampling. The participants completed Zanjari’s successful aging, Templer’s death anxiety, Collins & Read’s attachment styles, and Connor & Davidson’s resilience questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-24 and AMOS-24 software. The results indicated that the hypothesized model had a good fit with the studied sample. As such, secure attachment was related to successful aging and death anxiety through resilience. Furthermore, avoidant attachment was related to successful aging and death anxiety through resilience, and resilience mediated the relationship between ambivalent attachment style with successful aging and death anxiety. These findings emphasize the importance of fostering secure attachment and resilience in interventions aimed at enhancing successful aging and ultimately improving the well-being of older adults.
EXTENDED ABSTRACT
 Introduction
As individuals age, death anxiety tends to increase, which significantly impacts the achievement of successful aging. In the research literature, various variables have been examined in predicting successful aging and death anxiety among older adults, one of the most critical of which appears to be attachment styles. The impact of attachment styles remains relatively stable throughout life. Securely attached individuals experience less death anxiety and, consequently, more successful aging due to their established support systems and coping strategies. Conversely, insecure attachment, through maladaptive coping strategies, is associated with increased death anxiety. Resilience also plays a significant role in predicting successful aging and death anxiety. Although studies have explored the relationship between attachment styles, successful aging, and death anxiety, they have rarely investigated the pathways through which attachment styles influence successful aging and death anxiety in older adults. Moreover, despite the recognition of various variables in the mentioned field, resilience has not been examined as a mediating variable between attachment styles, successful aging, and death anxiety. Therefore, this study aims to address these gaps in the research literature by examining the relationship between attachment styles with successful aging and death anxiety through the mediating role of resilience.
Method
This was a descriptive-correlational study using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included all older adults aged 60 and above living in the city of Kermanshah, Iran, among whom 332 individuals (176 men and 156 women) were selected using convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria for the study were (1) age over 60 years and (2) willingness to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria included (1) the presence of severe cognitive disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders, and (2) the consumption of psychiatric medications due to psychological problems. Participants completed Zanjari’s successful aging, Templer’s death anxiety, Collins & Read’s attachment styles, and Connor & Davidson’s resilience questionnaires. Questionnaires were administered in person to the participants. Prior to completing the questionnaires, participants were informed about the research objectives and provided assurances regarding the confidentiality and anonymity of their information. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Additionally, inclusion criteria were assessed through preliminary questions. Only those who met the inclusion criteria were granted access to the main questionnaires. Finally, the scores from the completed questionnaires were entered into SPSS version 24 and AMOS version 24 software, and analyses were conducted using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and SEM, aligned with the research hypotheses.
Results
Prior to conducting the data analysis, it was confirmed that the distribution of scores for all research variables followed a normal distribution. Additionally, there was no evidence of correlation between errors and non-linearity among the variables. To test the research hypotheses, the initial step involved examining the correlations between the research variables. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between secure attachment and resilience, a significant negative correlation between avoidant attachment and resilience, and a significant negative correlation between ambivalent attachment and resilience. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between resilience and death anxiety, and a significant positive correlation between resilience and successful aging. Given these significant correlations, the next phase of the analysis involved evaluating the hypothesized model and assessing its fit, which was accomplished through SEM. The final model is presented in Figure 1.
The fitness indices for the obtained model were as follows: χ² = 2330.225, df = 662, χ²/df = 3.520, GFI = 0.916, RMR = 0.050, CFI = 0.989, RMSEA = 0.083, PGFI= 0.556, PNFI = 0.653. These indices indicate that the hypothesized model in the current research exhibits a good fit. To assess and determine the significance of indirect paths in the research model, the Sobel test was employed using Amos software. The results illustrated that secure attachment style is related to successful aging and death anxiety through resilience; avoidant attachment style is related to successful aging and death anxiety through resilience; and ambivalent attachment style is related to successful aging and death anxiety through resilience.
Conclusion
This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between attachment styles with successful aging and death anxiety among older adults, highlighting the mediating role of resilience. Individuals with secure attachment experience higher levels of self-efficacy, self-care, and perceived social support, as well as more balanced emotional regulation, which in turn enhances resilience. Increased resilience leads to greater life satisfaction and well-being, which are crucial components of successful aging. Additionally, enhanced resilience through problem-solving skills and interpersonal control acts as a buffer against death anxiety.
Conversely, those with avoidant attachment styles struggle with maladaptive coping mechanisms, negative emotional regulation, and lower intimacy, which can result in increased psychological distress and depression, subsequently lowering resilience levels. Similarly, individuals with ambivalent attachment may have limited adaptive coping skills and resilience to manage emotional and existential concerns associated with life’s challenges. Reduced resilience increases maladaptation to life’s challenges, thereby intensifying death anxiety. Ultimately, lower resilience results in higher feelings of loneliness and isolation, alongside decreased life satisfaction, hindering the achievement of successful aging.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical Code
The present study was conducted independently and received the necessary authorization from the Research Deputy of Razi University.
Financial Support
This research did not receive any financial support.
Authors’ Contributions
Kh.M: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft, Project Administration, Supervision; F.R: Software, Validation, Formal Analysis, Data Curation, Visualization; A.M: Writing – Review & Editing
Conflict of Interest
The author had no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
We would like to express our gratitude to the esteemed older participants of the study and the personnel at Razi University who facilitated the execution of this research.
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