Objective: The present study aims to explore the mediating effects of conscientiousness and alexithymia in the relationship between parental attachment style and alcohol use in a large sample of athletic young people.
Method: Participants included 434 French sport sciences students. Alcohol use, parental attachment style, conscientiousness and alexithymia were assessed. The hypotheses were tested by using regression and bootstrapping mediation analyses.
Results: Maternal insecure attachment style is positively associated with alcohol use. The current study highlights a multiple pathway in this relationship. The results reveal the mediating effect of low conscientiousness and alexithymia between maternal insecure attachment and alcohol use.
Conclusion: Athletes' alcohol use seems to be the result of a complex association of underlying psychological factors.
Keywords: Alcohol; Alexithymia; Athletes; Attachment styles; Conscientiousness; Mediation.
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