Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify psychological factors that influence psychological well-being in middle-aged adults(40-65 years old). In particular, we aimed to determine whether mentalization, the ability to clarify one’s internal experiences, and adaptive cognitive emotional regulation have a dual mediating effect on the relationship between insecure adult attachment(anxious, avoidant) and psychological well-being in middle-aged adults. To address the research questions, structural equation modeling was conducted using Jamovi 2.2.5 statistical program to analyze survey responses from 317 middle-aged adults (117 males and 200 females) who voluntarily participated through mobile and offline surveys. The results of the study are as follows. First, in the structural equation model, the simple mediating effect of mentalization on the relationship between insecure adult attachment(anxious and avoidant) and psychological well-being in middle-aged adults was not significant. Second, the simple mediating effect of adaptive cognitive emotion regulation on the relationship between insecure adult attachment and psychological well-being was significant only for anxious attachment. Third, the relationship between insecure adult attachment and psychological well-being was fully mediated by mentalization and adaptive cognitive emotion regulation for anxious attachment, but partially mediated for avoidant attachment. These findings help provide a theoretical framework for developing programs to increase psychological well-being among middle-aged adults, a growing segment of society.