Predictive modeling of the level of caregiving in romantic relationships based on attachment styles, considering the mediating role of guilt in romantic relationships

Introduction: This study aimed to predict the level of caregiving in romantic relationships based on attachment styles, considering the mediating role of guilt in these relationships. Materials and Methods: The research method was a descriptive correlational (path analysis) type. The statistical population included all married men and women living in Mashhad, Iran, in ۲۰۲۴. For this purpose, ۴۰۰ people were selected using the multi-stage cluster sampling method. We used the Caregiving Questionnaires of Kans and Shaver (۱۹۹۴), the Attachment Styles of Hazen and Shaver (۱۹۷۸), and the Interpersonal Guilt of O'Connor et al. (۱۹۹۷) to collect data. LISREL ۸.۸۰ software and the path analysis model were applied to data analysis.    Results: The overall test indices indicated the overall fit of the model. The path coefficient from secure and ambivalent attachment style to guilt and the path coefficient from guilt to caregiving were significant (P< ۰.۰۱). The results of the indirect coefficients of secure and ambivalent attachment style on couples' caregiving with the mediation of guilt were significant (P< ۰.۰۱). In other words, guilt mediated the relationship between secure and ambivalent attachment styles and caregiving in romantic relationships. Conclusion: The results suggest that couple therapists and family counselors should pay more attention to attachment styles and guilt as influential variables to better understand couples' problems.