Influence of attachment on experiential acceptance and the mediating role of distress tolerance

Background: Acceptance is an emotion regulation strategy based on openness to internal experiences, without modifying or avoiding them. It is considered adaptive, balanced and associated with better mental health. Attachment security promotes adaptive strategies, whilst insecurity seems to be linked to maladaptive strategies. Similarly, distress tolerance, the ability to cope with difficult internal experiences, appears to be associated with more adaptive strategies. A better understanding of the role of attachment could therefore shed light on its effects on acceptance capacities and allow interventions to be adjusted accordingly. This study assesses the influence of attachment on acceptance and tests the mediating role of distress tolerance. Methods: Measures of attachment (RSQ), acceptance (MPFI), and distress tolerance (DTS) were completed by 330 adults. Simple and hierarchical regressions identified predictive dimensions, and mediations examined indirect links via distress tolerance. Results: The dimensions of anxiety and attachment avoidance were negatively associated with acceptance (adjusted R² = .07 and .13). Hierarchical regression showed that avoidance is the strongest predictor (β = −0.31) compared to anxiety (β = −0.15), with the model explaining 15% of the variance in acceptance (p < .001). Distress tolerance partially mediated these relationships (anxiety: β = −0.13; avoidance: β = −0.16). Conclusion: These results confirm the importance of attachment in acceptance: both dimensions of insecurity (anxiety and avoidance) are associated with decreased acceptance. The ability to open up to internal experiences seems more difficult in cases of attachment insecurity, especially regarding the avoidance dimension. This highlights the value of tailoring acceptance-based interventions (e.g., MBCT, MBSR, ACT) to differing attachment styles, incorporating targeted reinforcement of distress tolerance to support the development of acceptance in individuals with higher levels of insecurity.