Abstract

The current study examined the mediating roles of self-concept clarity and intolerance of uncertainty in the relationship between attachment anxiety and relationship addiction among 400 emerging adults (aged 19-25). Utilizing structural equation modeling on online-survey data, the results indicated that attachment anxiety negatively predicted self-concept clarity and positively predicted intolerance of uncertainty. Both decreased self-concept clarity and increased intolerance of uncertainty led to an increase in relationship addiction. The findings confirm a double mediation model where attachment anxiety contributes to a higher level of relationship addiction by weakening self-concept clarity and lowering tolerance for uncertain situations. These results offer crucial implications for developing interventions aimed at emerging adults struggling with excessive relational preoccupation.