The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between attachment styles and cognitive triad (views of the self, others/world and future) among university students. To this end, 403 students were selected from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, using a random clustering procedure. Collins and Read s (1990) Attachment Style Questionnaire (α=. 80) and the Cognitive Triad Inventory (CTI), developed by Beckham, Leber, Watkins, Boyer & Cook (1986) (α=. 91 for view of the self, α=. 81 for view of the world, α=.93 for view of the future and α=.95 for the total scale), were administered to them. Pearson s Correlation and Homogeneity Analysis showed a positive relationship and homogeneity between insecure attachment style and the negative CTI. Negative relationships were also found between secure attachment styles (the close and depend styles) and the negative CTI. In addition, the results also showed that in attachment styles, cognitive triad in general, and in its view of the self subscale, there was no significant difference between male and female students. But the difference was significant in views of the world/others and the future. There is a positive relationship and homogeneity between insecure-anxious attachment style and negative views of the self, world and future. There is also a negative relationship between secure attachment styles and negative views of the self, world and future. So, it is quiet likely that positive views and attitudes can have effects on attachment styles, interpersonal interactions, coping anxiety and as a result on academic achievements, mental health and the quality of university students’ lives.

Keywords