Factors associated with fear of intimacy among a representative sample of the Lebanese population: The role of depression, social phobia, self‐esteem, intimate partner violence, attachment, and maladaptive schemas. Issue 3 (23rd September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Obeid, Sahar; Sacre, Hala; Haddad, Chadia; Akel, Marwan; Fares, Kassandra; Zakhour, Maha; Kheir, Nelly; Salameh, Pascale; Hallit, Souheil
• Is Part Of: Perspectives in psychiatric care. Volume 56:Issue 3(2020:Jul.)
• Page Start: 486
• Page End: 494
• Publication Date: 2019-09-23
• Subjects: attachment style -- depression -- early maladaptive schemas -- fear -- intimacy; Psychiatric nursing -- Periodicals; Psychiatric nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.890231
• DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12438
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-5990

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: To assess fear of intimacy (FOI) in the Lebanese population, and its correlates such as depression, social phobia, self‐esteem, attachment, and maladaptive schemas. Design/Methods: This cross‐sectional study, conducted between November 2017 and May 2018, enrolled 707 community‐dwelling participants. Results: Higher FOI scores were associated with an increase in the defectiveness schema ( β = 0.483), social phobia score ( β = 0.16), mistrust schema ( β = 0.519), vulnerability schema ( β = 0.482), emotional deprivation schema ( β = 0.548), attachment style D (dismissing) ( β = 0.913) and failure schema, whereas lower FOI was significantly associated with an increase in the entitlement schema ( β = −0.362), insufficient schema ( β = −0.377), and the self‐esteem score ( β = −0.288). Practice Implications: Implementing educational programs are needed to enable persons to develop healthy intimate relationships, taking into account attachment styles and inappropriate early schemas.