Adult Attachment Scale Research Articles

The dyadic interaction model of relationship quality and the impact of attachment orientation and empathy on infertile couples in China.

AimThe study was conducted to examine the effect of attachment orientation and empathy on the relationship quality of infertile couples and assess the inter‐dependency model of these factors.DesignA cross‐sectional survey.MethodIn this study, 168 infertile couples (336 individuals) were enrolled and asked to finish the following questionnaires: the revised Adult Attachment Scales, the Interpersonal Response Index questionnaire and the Relationship Quality sub‐scale of the Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQol). Hierarchical regression and path analysis were used to analyse the unique and combined contribution of the independent variables to relationship quality of couples.ResultsThe attachment orientation of infertile couples can influence their relationship quality, and empathetic wives and husbands have actor and partner effects on the infertile couples' relationship quality. Empathetic infertile couples are conducive to the harmony of the relationship.

Attachment: the mediating role of hope, religiosity, and life satisfaction in\xa0older adults

BackgroundAttachment and support from family and friends are core to the experiences of ageing for older adults. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between attachment styles and hope, religiosity, and life satisfaction and provide new knowledge that may assist future planning for a rapidly ageing global population.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 504 Iranian older adult participants from Qazvin province were recruited between December 2015 and April 2016. They completed a questionnaire that included the Revised Adult Attachment Scale, the Life Satisfaction Index-Z, and the Herth Hope Index.ResultsParticipants in the study had a mean age of 66.20 years (SD: 5.76) and most of them were women (57.5%). A mediation model testing the direct relationships between attachment, hope, religiosity, and life satisfaction showed a positive relationship between close attachment and religiosity (β = .226, p < .001) and a negative relationship between anxiety attachment and religiosity (β = − .229, p < .001). Religiosity was positively related to hope (β = .384, p < .01) and hope was related to life satisfaction (β = .448, p < .001). Religiosity and hope mediated the relationship between close attachment (β = .119, p < .001) and anxiety attachment (β = − .056, p < .01) with life satisfaction. More specifically, while religiosity and hope fully mediated the relationship between close attachment and life satisfaction, they partially mediated the attachment anxiety-life satisfaction link.ConclusionsFindings of the study provide insight into only a narrow perspective of life satisfaction and attachment given the many and varied variables that influence these constructs. Future research is needed whereby other related variables are introduced into the model to be examined further.

A Descriptive Study to Assess Attachment Styles, and Emotional Stability in Relation to Marital Satisfaction among Couples Residing in Selected Residential Areas of Gurugram, Haryana

Background: Marriage is one of the main decisions that an individual make in their life. Marital satisfaction constitutes the main determinant of life. There are several factors which predict marital satisfaction among couple like their attachment styles, emotional stability and demographic variables. Objective: To assess attachment styles, emotional stability of married couples, to seek relationship between marital satisfaction with their attachment styles and emotional stability and to seek relationship of marital satisfaction with selected demographic variables. Material and Method: A descriptive research design including 50 married couples via purposive sampling. Tools used were- For Attachment styles -Adult attachment scale, For marital satisfaction-ENRICH marital satisfaction scale, For emotional stability-Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test . Analysis and interpretation was done through SPSS version 16.0. Result: The findings revealed that out of 50 subjects, maximum 80% had Secure attachment style, maximum 100% male and 98% females were emotionally stable and maximum 96% males and 94% females had moderate marital satisfaction. All attachment styles and emotional stability had non significant positive relationship with marital satisfaction. Regarding demographic variables all had non significant relationship with marital satisfaction except age and family income. Conclusion: The study concluded that majority of married couples had moderate marital satisfaction and attachment style and emotional stability are predictors of marital satisfaction among married couples.

Psychometric properties of the Hungarian Adult Attachment Scale

The revised Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) developed by N. L. Collins is a widely used questionnaire to measure adult attachment. However, its psychometric properties have not been investigated in Hungary. We aimed to confirm the key psychometric properties of the Hungarian version of the AAS focusing on reliability indices on a population that consis-ted of depressed and non-depressed young adults. The AAS is a self-report questionnaire, in which two different dimensional evaluating systems are possible: the original (close, depend, and anxiety) and the alternative scoring system (anxiety, avoidance). Our study population consisted of young adults with a history of major depression (n = 264, median age = 25.7 years) and their never-depressed biological siblings (n = 244, median age = 24.0). The internal consistency of close, anxiety, and avoidance scales were satisfactory (Cronbach-α >0.7). The consistency of the depend scale was slightly lower than expected (Cronbach-α = 0.62). Test-retest reliability was good for all of the scales, it ranged from 0.73 to 0.78 after 14 months of follow-up period. The scale showed good discrimination as tested by the differences of close and anxiety attachment dimensions between the groups (p<0.01). More-over, we were able to differentiate the currently dep-res-sed subjects based on these attachment dimensions. Explo-ra-tory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted, and a bifactor solution proved optimal model fit. The three dimensions of the AAS has not been confirmed. However, the close and anxiety scales of AAS were found to be adequate. Our results also indicate that attachment features correlate with major depressive episodes in adulthood.

Adult Disorganized Attachment Scale (ADA): Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability study

Objective: The aim of the current study was to adapt the Adult Disorganized Attachment Scale (ADA) into Turkish and to examine its psychometric properties. Method: The study was conducted with 2 separate sample groups of married individuals. The first sample group, which was used to perform exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), consisted of 285 individuals (66% female, 33.7% male) aged 20-45 years (32.41±5.40 years). The second sample group, for which only CFA was performed, comprised 585 individuals (50.4% female, 49.2% male) between the ages of 21-50 years (34.33±6.23 years). The Paulson Daily Living Inventory (PDLI) and the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory (ECR-I) were used as convergent validity criteria, and the Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI) was used as a discriminant validity criterion. Results: As a result of the EFA, a single-factor structure that evaluates disorganized attachment in adult romantic relationships was obtained. The model fit indices obtained as a result of CFA were within the acceptable limits in both sample groups. The other validity and reliability values determined were also found to be sufficient. Conclusion: This Turkish version of the ADA can be considered a valid and reliable scale to be used in studies related to attachment in adult romantic relationships.

Perinatal Grief and Related Factors After Termination of Pregnancy for Fetal Anomaly: One-Year Follow-up Study.

Introduction:Many people grieve in a resilient manner, often having a sense of equilibrium restored within six months. The most devastating type of loss is usually considered to be the death of the child. For such a loss, bereavement may take a period of distressing years with signs and symptoms that are related to grief. There have been different phases identified in the grieving process, and this process encompasses various difficulties with different levels of psychological effects. Women with perinatal losses can suffer long periods of grief. The purpose of this study was to monitor the grief in women who had undergone a termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly.Methods:Forty-six women who applied to the Gynaecology Clinic of Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine and who decided to terminate their pregnancy due to fetal anomaly were included in the study. The Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Multidimensional Relationship Questionnaire (MRQ) and the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) were administered to the participants six weeks after termination. Participants’ grief signs were re-evaluated with the PGS at the sixth and 12th months.Results:There was no relationship between severity of grief symptoms and socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. The perinatal grief symptoms can decrease gradually from termination of pregnancy to six months and can persist for a period of six months up to a year. There was positive correlation between the scores of PGS and BAI, IES-R hyper-arousal. The mean score of PGS changed significantly from sixth week to sixth month and from sixth week to 12th months. IES-R hyper-arousal and MRQ relational satisfaction were found to be the predictors for PGS total score at the first year.Conclusion:The diagnosis of fetal anomaly and especially the termination of pregnancy itself may be traumatic and disruptive. In women with perinatal loss, grief may become persistent after the first six months. It would be helpful to examine how the women resolve this experience. Especially the anxiety and the hyper-arousal signs following the termination should not be ignored. Perinatal grief is a unique bereavement experience; specific interventions should be performed for detecting and treating severe perinatal grief.

Chilean Version of the Empathy Quotient (EQ) Scale: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties.

We evaluated the psychometric properties of the empathy quotient (EQ) scale translated to Spanish in Chile. We estimated its structural validity, and its construct validity with other convergent measures of empathy and attachment, as well an inversely associated construct such as aggression. We used a general sample of students and community individuals (n = 336). Participants completed the EQ, Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Another exclusively community group (n = 102) completed Collins Adult Attachment scale and the EQ. CFA and ESEM analyses confirmed the structural model fit of the data to three previously reported dimensions of the EQ: cognitive empathy (CE), emotional reactivity (ER) and social skills (SS). Sex-differences in emotional reactivity, and the predicted relationships with the convergent measures were observed. The current Chilean version of the EQ resulted in an appropriate multidimensional measurement of empathy. Finally, providing a specific social skills dimension extends the traditional conception of cognitive and affective empathy to the social realm in the Chilean context.

Family structure and forgivingness: The mediating role of insecure attachment

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the structure of the family of origin and tendency to forgive by investigating attachment as a potential mediating variable. Polish version of the FACES-IV (Olson &amp; Gorall, 2003; Margasiński, 2015); the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (Thompson et al., 2005; Kaleta, Mróz, &amp; Guzewicz, 2016), the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (Collins &amp; Read, 1990; Collins, 1995/2008; Adamczyk, 2012) were used. The sample consisted of 91 individuals aged 19–26 (58.25% females). The results showed that maladaptive family of origin structures are associated with a lower level of dispositional forgiveness. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between adaptive family of origin structures and dispositional forgiveness. Furthermore, the results indicate that insecure attachment is a mediator in the relationship between the maladaptive family of origin structure and dispositional forgiveness.

Intergenerational Teaching-learning through Meditation and Smartphone Use Skill-knowledge Transfer between South Asian Grandparent-grandchild Dyads

ABSTRACT This article reports the impact of an intergenerational teaching-learning program (ITLP) of meditation and smartphone use on promoting social engagements for grandparents and attachment security for their young adult grandchildren. Grandparent-grandchildren dyads from two South Asian cities were randomized into intervention (IN1 = 86; IN2 = 78) and control groups (CN1 = 86; CN2 = 72). Grandparents’ scores on Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6) and grandchildren’s scores on Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS) were assessed at pretest (TI) and posttest (T2). Intervention group grandparents had higher social engagements and grandchildren had lower attachment insecurities compared to the control dyad at T2. ITLP impact was moderately high (Cohen’s d range = 0.49–0.56, p≤.01) and T2 performance was better for grandmother-grandchild dyads, middle class, widowed grandparents and cohabiting dyads. ITLP attendance and home practice mediated the relationship between participant characteristics and outcomes. Actor-partner independence models indicated that attendance and home practice were interdependent and posttest increase in grandparents’ social network was positively associated with grandchildren’s attachment security at T2. The ITLP is a practical and useful program for intergenerational learning.

Effects of Kibbutz communal upbringing in adulthood: trait emotional intelligence and attachment patterns

Past research regarding the emotional characteristics of kibbutz children raised with communal sleeping arrangements (CSA) showed inconsistent findings for emotional difficulties, such as insecure attachment and lowered ability for intimacy. Only little research has examined these children's emotional characteristics in their adulthood. Trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) is a new concept measuring a constellation of correlated emotional traits that capture a person's typical way of processing emotional information and reacting to it.The present study examined if difficulties in intimacy and trait EI characterize adults who had been raised in CSA kibbutzim (Hebrew plural of kibbutz). Participants comprised 1185 adults, aged 30–79, of whom 735 were raised in CSA kibbutzim, and the rest did not grow up in a Kibbutz at all. The participants completed three self-report questionnaires: Schutte's Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) to measure trait EI; the Revised Adult Attachment Scale to measure adult attachment; and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire to measure self-esteem.Results showed that most of the kibbutz CSA participants revealed levels of intimacy and trait EI comparable to the non-kibbutz group. However, a significant difference was found among adults with low self-esteem and poor attachment quality: For these participants, trait EI and intimacy were significantly lower for the CSA kibbutz group than for the non-kibbutz group. Furthermore, the CSA kibbutz group reported poorer non-verbal communication skills than the non-kibbutz group.We suggest that a minority of the CSA kibbutz children were less resilient to the kibbutz ecology. These children might have been more vulnerable to the effects of limited social options, decreased parental support, and the kibbutz education's ideological demands. For these children, the effects of communal upbringing on intimacy and attachment appear to be long-lasting, extending throughout their adulthood.

The Effectiveness of Group Therapy Based on Mentalization and Dialectical Behavior on Attachment Styles, Social Cognition, Mentalization: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) are two treatments with a strong theoretical basis for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Objectives: We investigated the structures that influence the process of symptom recovery from the perspective of mentalization-based treatment. Methods: This is a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial conducted on 60 patients diagnosed with BPD. Data were collected from March 2017 to June 2017 by a psychiatrist in a semi-structured clinical interview. The participants were categorized into intervention and control groups. Before, immediately and two months after the group therapy based on MBT and DBT, the participants were assessed with Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), Reflective Function Questionnaire for Adult (RFQA), Eye Test-Test Revised Version, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Results: Both of the treatments were effective in improving avoidant (P = 0.0001) and ambivalent (P = 0.0001) attachment styles, mentalization (P = 0.0001), and social cognition (P = 0.0001). These changes persisted from post-test to follow-up in mentalization (P = 0.003) and social cognition (P = 0.02). Conclusions: Although both methods are effective in improving the symptoms of the disorder, MBT is more effective in improving the basic structures of the BPD. This may lead to greater stability in the treatment.

Lower cognitive reappraisal capacity is related to impairments in attachment and personality structure in poly-drug use: an fMRI study

Insecure attachment, impaired personality structure and impaired emotion regulation figure prominently in substance use disorders. While negative emotions can trigger drug-use and relapse, cognitive reappraisal may reduce emotional strain by promoting changes in perspective. In the present study, we explored behavioral and neural correlates of cognitive reappraisal in poly-drug use disorder by testing individuals’ capability to generate cognitive reappraisals for aversive events (Reappraisal Inventiveness Test). 18 inpatients with poly-drug use disorder and 16 controls completed the Adult Attachment Scale, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Wonderlic Personnel Test, and the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis Structure Questionnaire, as well as two versions of the Reappraisal Inventiveness Test (during fMRI and outside the lab). Compared to controls, polydrug inpatients reported impaired personality structure, attachment and emotion regulation abilities. In the Reappraisal Inventiveness Test, poly-drug inpatients were less flexible and fluent in generating reappraisals for anger-eliciting situations. Corresponding to previous brain imaging evidence, cognitive reappraisal efforts of both groups were reflected in activation of left frontal regions, particularly left superior and middle frontal gyri and left supplemental motor areas. However, no group differences in neural activation patterns emerged. This suggests that despite cognitive reappraisal impairments on a behavioral level, neural reflections of these deficits in poly-drug use disorder might be more complex.

Attachment as a framework to facilitate empowerment for people with severe mental illness.

ObjectivesRecovery and empowerment have evolved into key objectives in the treatment and care of people with severe mental illness (SMI), and interest has grown in the role of social relationships in recovery. This study is the first to explore whether attachment styles are related to levels of empowerment, and secondly, whether attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance are associated with lower empowerment levels, independently of quality and frequency of social contact.DesignWe used a cross‐sectional design.MethodsIn a sample of 157 participants with SMI in outpatient care, associations between attachment (Revised Adult Attachment Scale), self‐reported social functioning, and empowerment (Netherlands Empowerment List) were assessed.ResultsAttachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were both associated with lower levels of empowerment. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the prediction of empowerment was significantly improved by adding attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance to quality and frequency of social contact. Attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, and quality of social contact were significant predictors; frequency of social contact was not.ConclusionsAlthough our design does not allow causal conclusions, our results highlight the importance of interpersonal processes and behaviours as routes to improving empowerment for people with SMI. A promising approach might thus consist of securing attachment bonds with significant others so that the self and the other are perceived as reliable resources. Our findings also feature the importance of reciprocity and equality in social relationships. Taken together, our study emphasizes the value of social, contextualized interventions in recovery work for people with SMI.Practitioner points Working towards attachment safety in interpersonal relations may be important in recovery‐oriented treatment and care for people with severe mental illness (SMI).Helping people with SMI to recognize and change how they tend to relate themselves to others may promote engagement and effectiveness of recovery‐oriented treatment and care.Reciprocity and equality in social relationships as vital complements to the more one‐sided nature of ‘standing alongside’ and offering support may be important requisites for empowerment.

Does attachment style predict quality of life in youth? A cross-sectional study in Iran.

The attachment can be considered as a specific behavioral pattern that is critical to healthy growth in most communities. Medical students are exposed to high levels of psychological stress while being equipped with lower levels of resilience. This study aims to determine the relationship between attachment style and the quality of life of medical students. In this cross-sectional correlational study, 150 students of Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences in 2018 were selected based on convenience sampling with consideration of inclusion criteria. Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS) and Quality of life questionnaire (SF- 36) were used as data gathering scale. The data were analyzed with SPSS ver.19 using the Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression. The participants’ mean quality of life score was 74.2 ± 16.7. In attachment style, 48.7% of the participants had secure attachment, 26.0% avoidant attachment, and 25.0% ambivalent attachment. The results of this study indicated a significant direct correlation between the quality of life scores and secure attachment style (p value <0.000). Also, there was a significant inverse correlation between the quality of life score and ambivalent attachment style (p value <0.000). Attachment style predicted students’ quality of life. Moreover, the role of Attachment style highlighted potential areas for intervention to improve medical student well-being and provide a foundation for longitudinal follow-up.

ATTACHMENT STYLES AND DYSFUNCTIONAL ATTITUDES AMONG PATIENTS OF FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOM DISORDER

OBJECTIVES: To explore dysfunctional attitudes and attachment styles of the patients suffering from functional neurological symptom disorder (FNSD) and the relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and attachment styles. METHODS: This prospective correlational research design was used on a sample of 150 patients of FNSD enrolled using purposive sampling technique. The study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore, Pakistan from March 2018 until March 2019. For purpose of assessment demographic sheet, Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) and Revised Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) were used. The results were retrieved using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: Out of 150 patients, 130 (86.7%) were females & 20 (13.3%) were males. The mean age of the patients was 31.35±9.01 years. Majority (n=70, 46.7%) were the middle-born children in birth-order. Seventy percent (n=105) were married, 80 (53.3%) had joint family system, 100 (66.7%) had lower socio-economic status, 95 (63.3%) had rented residence and 110 (73.3%) were from urban areas. Mean duration of competed education was 7.43±4.25 years. Patients of FNSD reported high range of scores on DAS (187.92±23.61). In AAS, highest mean scores were recorded for Anxiety Attachment Style (26.52 ±2.38), followed by Dependent Attachment Style (20.21±3.03). A significant correlation (r=0.26) was noted for DAS with Anxiety Attachment Style (p-value<0.01). CONCLUSION: The patients with FNSD exhibit anxious attachment style and high range of dysfunctional attitudes. The anxious attachment style and dysfunctional attitudes are significantly associated with each other.

The Influence of an Attachment-Related Stimulus on Oxytocin Reactivity in Poly-Drug Users Undergoing Maintenance Therapy Compared to Healthy Controls.

BackgroundSubstance use disorders (SUDs) have been described as a dysfunctional way to compensate for deficiencies in that person’s underlying attachment system. Furthermore, the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT), which is a critical component of the neurobiology of the attachment system, has been shown to effectively reduce addictive behavior and therefore has been discussed as a potential medication in SUD treatment. This study investigates variation in peripheral OT plasma levels as a function of exposure to an attachment-related stimulus in SUD patients compared to healthy controls (HCs).MethodsA total sample of 48 men, 24 inpatients in maintenance treatment who were diagnosed with poly-drug use disorder (PUD) and 24 HC, was investigated. A 15-min exposure to the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) was used as an attachment-related stimulus and coded for attachment status. Blood samples before and after the AAP-assessment were taken and assayed for OT levels. Variation in baselines level of OT was examined in relation to the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), the Adult Attachment-Scale (AAS), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI).ResultsFollowing the AAP stimulus controls showed no significant difference in OT levels elevation from baseline compared to the PUD group’s OT levels. Furthermore, in the PUD group only OT-baseline-levels may be negatively associated with the AAS subscale “Comfort with Closeness” and “Anxiety” and lifetime substance use.DiscussionOur results suggest that peripheral OT levels in poly-drug users undergoing maintenance treatment are not significantly different in responsiveness to an attachment related stimulus compared to HC. With regard to non-significant tendencies observed in this study which hint toward decreased OT-reactivity in the PUD group, further research is needed to explore this hypothesis with increased statistical power.

Association Between Cognitive Function and Early Life Experiences in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder.

IntroductionEarly life experiences could be potential risk factors for the development of alcohol use disorder. In similar circumstances, it might also influence cognitive impairment in later life. However, the relationship between early life experience and cognitive function in people with alcohol use disorders is unclear. The current study examined the effects of early social environments and experiences on cognitive function in patients with alcohol use disorder.MethodsA total of 37 adult male patients with alcohol use disorder and 30 healthy control (HC) subjects were enrolled. The MATRICS Cognitive Consensus Battery (MCCB) was used to evaluate cognitive function. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS) were used to evaluate early life experiences of the participants. The RAAS was used to evaluate the attachment patterns of participants.ResultsCompared with the HC group, the alcohol use disorder group reported higher levels of childhood abuse and were more likely to form an insecure attachment style. Patients with alcohol use disorder who experienced trauma performed worse in terms of discrete cognitive parameters such as social cognition, reasoning and problem solving compared to patients without trauma. Importantly, emotional neglect and social comfort were significantly associated with individual social cognitive skills.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the cognitive function of patients with alcohol use disorder, especially social cognitive function, is affected by early life experiences.

The Effect of Self-Differentiation Training on Attachment Styles and Self-Esteem in Married Women

Objective: The present study was done to determine the effect of self-differentiation training on attachment styles and self-esteem among married women in our center. Methods: This semi-empirical with pre-test and post-test was done on 30 subjects selected from married women in a training course during the spring 2017 using available sampling method who were divided into two experimental and control groups randomly. After training, the research questionnaires, including the Adult Attachment Scale by Hazan and Shaver and Rosenberg‘s Self-esteem Scale were completed by the examinees. The members of the experimental group participated in a training course for 8 sessions (100 min) but no training was done for the control group. The research data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) via SPSS v. 22. Results: The results of ANCOVA indicated that self-differentiation training had a significant effect on secure attachment style, anxious-ambivalent attachment style, and self-esteem (P&lt;0.05), whereas it had no significant impact on avoidance attachment style (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The self-differentiation training intervention may lead to a rise in the secure attachment style and self-esteem and a reduction in anxious-ambivalent attachment style in married women in our center.

Adverse childhood experiences in women with externalisation and internalisation disorders

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to determine the connections between adverse childhood experiences and complex post-traumatic dis-orders and attachment types in women with externalisation (addictions, crime) and internalisation disorders (anxiety disorders and mixed anxiety-depressive disorders).Participants and procedureThe methods used in the study were as follows: Adverse Childhood Experiences – International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), Fam-ily of Origin Dysfunction Scale (FODS) by Gąsior, Brier’s Trauma Symptom Inventory-2 (TSI-2) and Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) by Collins and Read. The studied group comprised women (N = 159) with externalisation issues (addicted, n = 80, in-cluding the addicted and incarcerated n = 23) and with internalisation issues (n = 79). The overall results of the clinical groups were compared with the control group of women without adaptation issues (N = 129).ResultsThe examined groups of women with internalisation and externalisation disorders differ both in terms of intensity and the scope of adverse childhood experiences, as well as in complex post-traumatic stress and attachment extent. The results obtained and the conclusions drawn from the research indicate that it is necessary to include a detailed diagnosis of adverse childhood experi-ences and traumas in the therapy and social rehabilitation of women with internalisation and externalisation disorders.ConclusionsDevelopment trajectories of externalisation and internalisation issues in women in view of their adverse childhood experiences require further studies.

Pinpointing Neural Correlates of Attachment in Poly-Drug Use: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study.

An increasing amount of evidence indicates the significance of attachment in the etiology of poly-drug use disorder (PUD). The aim of this study was to investigate associations between PUD and adult attachment in particular, with a focus on white matter (WM) fiber tract integrity. For this purpose, we selected several regions-of-interest based on previous findings which were examined for their role in PUD and estimated whole-brain associations between adult attachment and WM integrity. A total sample of 144 right-handed males were investigated (Age: M = 27; SD = 4.66). This included a group of patients diagnosed with PUD (n = 70) and a group of healthy controls (HC; n = 74). The Adult Attachment Scales (AAS) was applied to assess attachment attitudes in participants. Diffusion Tensor Imaging was used to investigate differences in WM integrity. The findings suggest substantially less attachment security in PUD patients compared to HC. Furthermore, PUD patients exhibited reduced integrity in WM fiber tracts, most pronounced in the bilateral corticospinal tract, the fronto-occipital fasciculus, and the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus. However, these results were not controlled for comorbid depressiveness. With regard to associations between adult attachment and WM integrity, the results for PUD patients indicate a negative relationship between “Comfort with Closeness” and the structural integrity of a cluster comprising parts of the right anterior thalamic radiation, the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and the uncinate fasciculus. Despite being limited by the cross-sectional design of this study, the results emphasize the significance of attachment in PUD etiology, both at a behavioral and a neurological level. Largely in line with previous research, the findings revealed tentative links between adult attachment and WM fiber tracts related to cognitive and affective functions in PUD patients.