Attachment Patterns Research Articles

Metacognition, attachment and psychotherapy in first-episode psychosis: a case study.

Aim of the studyPsychotherapy in first-episode psychosis is essential for the recovery of affected users. Those with primary psychotic disorders experience impaired abilities to form complex ideas about themselves and others, called metacognitive deficits. They also present important attachment disturbances.Subject or material and methodsThis paper aims to review the concepts of metacognition and attachment in psychosis, present an interpersonal metacognitive model incorporating elements of attachment theory and analyze a clinical case to show the integration of different strategies in the initial phase of therapy. The Metacognitive Assessment Scale-Abbreviated (MAS-A) was used to assess changes in the user’s metacognitive ability.ResultsThe therapist adopted the role of secure base and safe-haven to develop an adequate therapeutic relationship, operating through metacommunication and self-participation. Normalization interventions were applied and the user’s agenda was consistently prioritized. The user developed greater metacognitive abilities in the MAS-A along with better functioning, maintained few symptoms and was able to move into a new phase of therapy.DiscussionThe review and clinical case presented highlight the importance of an interpersonal metacognitive model that considers the users’ attachment pattern and a solid therapeutic relationship. Hierarchical metacognitive interventions are presented that allowed the user to address more complex psychological conflicts in therapy.ConclusionsPsychotherapeutic models that integrate the concepts of metacognition and attachment theory are promising to improve self-reflective abilities in users with a first-episode psychosis. The clinical case presented would be a contribution to design future studies about these processes.

Analisis Semiotika John Fiske terhadap Representasi Kedekatan Emosional Orang Tua dan Anak Dalam Film “Pulang”

Emotional closeness is fundamental in a harmonious family which is often implemented with interaction between parents and children, but interaction is not always the main thing but behavior, habits, touch or physical contact also greatly affect emotional closeness. This study aims to explore the form of emotional closeness that is formed between parents and children in the film ‘Pulang’, the theme of the film is family conflict which focuses on Pras (Ringgo Agus) and Rindu (Ziva Magnolya) during their trip to Jogjakarta. By using John Fiske's semiotic analysis with its three levels, the research results can be presented in the form of a representation of emotional closeness at the level of reality which is confirmed through dynamic interactions, freedom of expression and gestures as a form of care and affection. The level representation highlighted in the camera technique (shots) has shown signs at the level of reality as evidenced by the interactions between the characters. The ideological level found is Liberalism which is applied in parenting, education and early child development by parents in influencing emotional closeness. Then the form of emotional closeness that is formed is a secure attachment pattern that constructs a high emotional reality closeness to the characters Pras and Rindu.
 Keywords: Emotional Closeness; Interaction; Semiotic; Liberalism

Emotional awareness mediates the relationship between attachment and anxiety symptoms in adolescents

Attachment influences the experience of anxiety symptoms in adolescence and emotion regulation seems to mediate this influence. Nevertheless, studies of the role of emotional awareness are lacking. The aim of this study is to examine the direct and indirect effects of adolescents’ attachment patterns on anxiety regarding the mediatory role of two emotion awareness dimensions, namely body awareness and differentiating emotions. The participants completed self-report instruments on attachment, emotion awareness, and anxiety, and serial mediation models were used to analyse the data. Both secure and anxious/ambivalent attachment have a positive indirect effect on anxiety through body unawareness, and avoidant attachment shows a unique positive direct effect on anxiety. Attachment was not a predictor of differentiating emotions and this was not a predictor of anxiety. The results are discussed and implications for practice highlight the core role of body awareness in preventive interventions of adolescents’ anxiety problems.

Distinct glycoconjugate cell surface structures make the pelagic diatom Thalassiosira rotula an attractive habitat for bacteria.

Interactions between marine diatoms and bacteria have been studied for decades. However, the visualization of physical interactions between these diatoms and their colonizers is still limited. To enhance our understanding of these specific interactions, a new Thalassiosira rotula isolate from the North Sea (strain 8673) was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) after staining with fluorescently labeled lectins targeting specific glycoconjugates. To investigate defined interactions of this strain with bacteria the new strain was made axenic and co-cultivated with a natural bacterial community and in two- or three-partner consortia with different bacteria of the Roseobacter group, Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The CLSM analysis of the consortia identified six out of 78 different lectins as very suitable to characterize glycoconjugates of T. rotula. The resulting images show that fucose-containing threads were the dominant glycoconjugates secreted by the T. rotula cells but chitin and to a lesser extent other glycoconjugates were also identified. Bacteria attached predominantly to the fucose glycoconjugates. The colonizing bacteria showed various attachment patterns such as adhering to the diatom threads in aggregates only or attaching to both the surfaces and the threads of the diatom. Interestingly the colonization patterns of single bacteria differed strikingly from those of bacterial co-cultures, indicating that interactions between two bacterial species impacted the colonization of the diatom. Our observations help to better understand physical interactions and specific colonization patterns of distinct bacterial mono- and co-cultures with an abundant diatom of costal seas.

Are my parents psychopaths? How Mental health and self-esteem is impacted by perceived dark traits in parents

Relationships between parents and their descendants are necessary for healthy socio-emotional development. For a better understanding of these relationships, past studies found that personality traits significantly impact parenting constructs, such as attachment patterns, parental care, and relationship satisfaction, suggesting that the psychological aspects of parents can affect their descendants. In our research (N = 250), we asked participants to rate how they perceive their parents regarding their aversive personality traits (i.e., Dark Triad), parenting style characteristics, relationship satisfaction, and their own well-being and self-esteem. We then developed two mediational models (SEM), one for mothers and one for fathers. In these models, we assessed how the Dark Triad impacted mental health and self-esteem, mediated by authoritarian parenting style and relationship satisfaction. The models presented a good fit (e.g., CFI > 0.90). Psychopathic traits positively influenced an authoritarian parenting style for both parents, leading to worse relationship satisfaction and affecting their descendants’ mental health and self-esteem. Furthermore, we also observed the indirect effects of parental psychopathy on our outcomes, which were higher for mothers than fathers. Overall, our study provides the first assessment of how parents’ higher levels of dark traits can influence their descendants’ mental health and self-esteem.

The relationship of the child’s externalizing and internalizing symptoms with the parent’s maladaptive schemas and attachment style

IntroductionAccording to recent studies, there is a relationship between the parent-child attachment style and the child’s externalizing and internalizing problems. However, the parent’s maladaptive schemas were not examined in this relationship before.ObjectivesWe aimed to examine the relationship between parents’ maladaptive schemas, well-being, their attachment to their child, and the parent’s perception of the child’s symptoms.MethodsIn our cross-sectional, non-clinical study, 442 parents of children between the ages of 22 and 57 completed the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire (ECR), Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and WHO Well-being Questionnaire (WBI-5). We conducted four mediator analyses. We chose the emotional deprivation schema subscale as the independent variable and attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance subscales as mediators, while the models differed in the dependent variables. We chose the SDQ externalizing symptoms, internalizing symptoms, prosociality subscale, and WHO well-being questionnaire as dependent variables.ResultsThe mediation analyses proved to be significant. Emotional deprivation had significant effect on the parent’s attachment anxiety (a1 = 0.01, p < .001), avoidance (a2 = 0.32, p = .002) and on the parent’s well-being (c1 = -0.12 , p < .001), while emotional deprivation was not associated with externalizing symptoms (c2 = 0.002, p = .25), internalizing symptoms (c3 = 0.001, p = .53) and prosociality (c4 = 0.01, p = .26). However, the indirect effects of emotional deprivation through attachment anxiety were significant in case of internalizing symptoms (a1b5 = 0.03 [0.02 – 0.05), prosociality (a1b8 = -0.004 [-0.01 – -0.0002]) and well-being (a1b1 = -0.017 [-0.03 – -0.005]). Furthermore, the indirect effects of emotional deprivation through attachment avoidance were significant in case of internalizing symptoms (a2b6 = 0.009 [0.002 – 0.02]) and prosociality (a2b8 = -0.007 [-0.01 – -0.0002]). While the indirect effects of emotional deprivation through attachment anxiety (a1b3 = 0.007 [-0.001– 0,02]) and avoidance (a2b4 = 0.0001 [-0.006 – 0.006]) on externalizing symptoms were not significant. The indirect effects of emotional deprivation through attachment avoidance on the parent’s well-being were not significant (a2b2 = -0.002 [-0.01 – 0.006]).ConclusionsOur results - taking into account the limitations - suggest that there is a relationship between the parent’s emotional deprivation schema and the child’s internalizing symptoms, prosociality, and the parent’s well-being through the parent-child attachment pattern. Attachment style and maladaptive schema have no effect on externalizing symptoms. These results may also have practical implications.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The moderating role of attachment in the association between physiological synchrony in married couples and supportive behavior in the transition to parenthood.

Despite supportive behaviors playing a central role in intimate relationships, the extent to which physiological and psychological factors are involved in the quality of the observed spousal support, remains largely unknown. From a physiological stance, cardiac synchrony has been identified as an important component involved in dyadic interpersonal interactions. This study aims to examine whether individual differences in attachment determine, at least to some extent, whether cardiac synchrony enhances or impedes the quality of the observed spousal support. Specifically, this study examines whether attachment style moderates the biobehavioral link between positive cardiac synchrony and observed spousal support. A total of 58 couples expecting their first child participated in a supportive interaction while their cardiovascular responses were recorded, and the quality of their caregiving behaviors was coded. Results indicated that couples' cardiovascular dynamics were synchronized during the supportive interaction. Furthermore, attachment moderated the association between positive cardiac synchrony and the behavioral manifestation of support, such that cardiac synchrony was negatively associated with the quality of support when offered by caregivers with higher scores of attachment anxiety. Our findings show that for those caregivers who have higher levels of anxious attachment-being synchronized with their care seeking spouses is associated with difficulties in providing effective support. We discuss these findings in the context of the emotion regulation difficulties characteristic of anxious attachment patterns. These findings suggest that future work could benefit from performing comprehensive studies that consider physiological, behavioral, and psychological constructs simultaneously.

High rate of insecure attachment patterns in preterm infants at early school age.

In preterm infants, insecure attachment is associated with behavioural and emotional problems but data on attachment beyond toddler age are scarce. This study assessed attachment security at 6-8 years in very and moderate or late preterm infants. The results were compared to a non-clinical full-term sample. Attachment security of 38 very and 20 moderate or late preterm infants was assessed during a home visit with the German version of the Attachment Story Completion Task. Attachment patterns of 28 full-term controls were taken from a previous study. Primary outcomes were attachment security and attachment security score. Secondary outcomes for the preterm groups were infant behavioural problems, parental stress, perceived social support, maternal depressive symptoms, and infant development. Very preterm infants had the highest rate of insecure attachment (81%) compared to moderate or late preterm infants (60%) and full-term infants (47%); (p= 0.013). Attachment security scores differed significantly between very preterm and full-term infants (p= 0.001). Secondary outcomes were similar in very and moderate or late preterm cohorts. Prematurity was associated with an increased risk of insecure attachment at early school age. Interventions targeting attachment security are reasonable considering the high rate of behavioural problems following premature birth.

A systematic review of measures of adult disorganized attachment.

Disorganized attachment has been identified as an important factor in the development and maintenance of mental health problems. Further research is required to understand the mechanism by which this attachment pattern predisposes individuals to develop, and maintain, personal and social difficulties and mental health problems utilizing valid and reliable measurement tools. The assessment of adult disorganized attachment is therefore important for both applied psychologists and researchers. We conducted a systematic review using the COSMIN guidelines to identify and critically appraise instruments which measure adult disorganized attachment. A systematic database search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsychInfo and CINHAL in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Database searching provided 5757 results, with 18 measures identified across 27 eligible papers which were critically evaluated. Measurement properties were promising for the Childhood Disorganization and Role Reversal Scale, Psychological Treatment Inventory-Attachment Styles Scale, Attachment Style Questionnaire - Short Form and the Adult Attachment Interview. However, overall, due to inconsistent quality of methodology and reporting of results, it is challenging to reach sufficient conclusions and suggestions regarding the best instrument to use to measure adult disorganized attachment. The Childhood Disorganization and Role Reversal Scale, Psychological Treatment Inventory-Attachment Styles Scale. Attachment Style Questionnaire-Short-Form and Adult Attachment Interview are the best available measures of disorganized attachment in adulthood. This review highlights the need for further psychometric testing of existing measures, or development of new instruments, grounded in sound methodology.

A Typology of Transition Patterns Involving Long-Term NEET Episodes: Accumulation of Risk and Adversity

This paper uses Danish population-based administrative registers to study contemporary school-to-work transitions among young adults who experience long-term NEET episodes between age 16 and 20. By applying sequence analysis and clustering, this paper identifies five distinct transition patterns. Using this typology as the outcome variable in multinomial regression the paper offers insight into how experiences and circumstances, developing until age 16, can affect the subsequently unfolding transition process. Finally, the paper looks ahead and describes whether transitional difficulty accumulates into early adulthood. While one transition pattern stands out as more stable and less worrying, three of the remaining four demonstrate how transitional difficulty between age 16 and 20 develops as precarious patterns of attachment to well-established systems within the Danish welfare state. It is further established that various childhood risk factors significantly increase the odds of experiencing precarious transition patterns. Finally, the analyses demonstrate how instability and risk during childhood and school-to-work transition extend into early adulthood for a large part of the study population.

Health-related quality of life of women with endometriosis: An Attachment-Diathesis Model of Chronic Pain perspective

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder that occurs in women of reproductive age, and negatively affects women’s quality of life. We tested ‘Attachment-Diathesis Model of Chronic Pain’ in a sample of Turkish women with endometriosis by analyzing the paths among attachment styles, pain catastrophizing, coping strategies, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Attachment anxiety was related to using less problem-focused coping and seeking more social support, while attachment avoidance was associated with seeking less social support as a coping strategy. Moreover, attachment anxiety and higher pain catastrophizing were related to a worse HRQoL. Finally, problem-focused coping strategy mediated the relation between attachment anxiety and HRQoL, meaning that by employing less problem-focused coping strategies, anxiously attached women experienced a poorer HRQoL. In light of our findings, psychologists may develop intervention techniques that question attachment patterns, pain perception, and coping strategies in clients diagnosed with endometriosis.

How does attachment style influence early childhood development

Attachment, from the cradle to the grave, has a life-long influence. There are four styles of attachment with one secure and three insecure (avoidant, ambivalent, and disorganized). Since attachment is built up in infants, it can have a significant influence throughout a child’s whole life. Hence forming a secure attachment is definitely important in early childhood. By viewing recent studies, this paper summarises the characteristics of the four attachment patterns and compares in detail the influences of secure and avoidant attachment on children’s development. It is revealed that securely attached children can form better personalities and relationships with others, whereas avoidantly attached children tend to have more internalizing and externalizing behaviors relatively. More importantly, although attachment patterns last a lifetime after they are formed, this does not mean that they cannot be changed. Several suggestions for improving insecure-avoidant attachment will be provided for caregivers at the end of the paper.

Antecedent mechanisms of crime

Crime has always been a topical issue in society. Because crime can cause significant damage and harm to individuals and groups, researchers have researched the antecedents of crime to reduce the crime at its source. This paper reviews previous research from individual, environmental, and social perspectives and makes suggestions for future research. At the individual level, researchers have found that the MAOA gene is associated with criminal behavior from the perspective of genetic polymorphism and that criminal behavior is hereditary; in addition, antisocial personality is closely related to crime. At the environmental level, parenting styles and traditional education in the family environment can lead to delinquency. Poor parenting styles can cause individuals to develop poor attachment patterns, leading to sexual delinquency. Community organization and order are associated with delinquency among young people at the social level. In addition, social media coverage of violent crime-related information gives stimulus to aggression leading to crime, and the researcher used information processing theory to explain this behavioral arousal process. The results of previous studies are comprehensive, but some of the results are controversial, which requires a combination of multidisciplinary and modern technological tools to strictly control the variables and thus design more rigorous experiments to produce more accurate results, which can effectively reduce the incidence of crime.

“I have no control over how much time I play” the metacognitions about online gaming scale: Evidence from a cross-cultural validation among Israeli adolescents

In the current study we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Metacognitions about Online Gaming Scale (MOGS), including its factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity among Israeli adolescents in a six-month prospective study. We also examined the usefulness of the MOGS as a mediator of the effect of attachment patterns on Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), the preference for online social interactions, and the motives for online gaming. The study population included 1,056 Israeli adolescents (610 males and 446 females, M = 15.77, standard deviation (SD) = 1.43) with an age range of 13–18 years. The participants completed the translated Hebrew version of the MOGS and measures on attachment style, IGD, preference for online social interactions, emotion regulation, and motives for online gaming. The analyses indicated that the factorial structure of the Hebrew MOGS comprised the expected two factors at T1 and T2 (a six-month follow-up). We also found that positive and negative metacognitions significantly mediated the effect of attachment styles on IGD, the preference for online social interactions, and the motives for online gaming. The findings provide evidence that the Hebrew MOGS among Israeli adolescents appears psychometrically appropriate for use by researchers and practitioners dealing with the prevention and treatment of IGD.

The associations between attachment, self-esteem, fear of missing out, daily time expenditure, and problematic social media use: A path analysis model

The present study investigated the factors that may be associated with a dysfunctional use of social media use, by exploring the association between adult attachment patterns and problematic social media use and analyzing the sequential mediation of self-esteem, fear of missing out (FoMO), and time spent on social media. A sample of 470 social media users (Mage = 33.76 years; SD = 14.267; 70 % women) completed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Relationship Questionnaire. Results showed a path analysis model providing an excellent fit to the data (χ2 = 2.939, p = 0.230; GFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.987, CFI = 0.998, RMSEA = 0.032, SRMR = 0.016). A significant and positive total effect in the associations between preoccupied and fearful attachment patterns and problematic social media use emerged. Both preoccupied and fearful attachment patterns were also related to self-esteem, FoMO, and time spent on social media, which were sequentially associated and were, in turn, significantly related to problematic social media use. Finally, when self-esteem, FoMO, and time spent on social media were added into the model, they totally mediated the relationships between preoccupied and fearful attachment patterns and problematic social media use, suggesting a full multiple mediation model (R2 = 0.33). Such data may provide useful information for clinical practice to develop tailored interventions and prevention programs to address the compensatory and problematic use of social media.

Love Addiction, Adult Attachment Patterns and Self-Esteem: Testing for Mediation Using Path Analysis.

Love addiction is a dysfunctional relational modality that takes on the addiction characteristics and which, for the individuals who suffer from it, can have a negative and pervasive impact on various areas of functioning. The objective of this research was the analysis the factors that can be associated with love addiction, particularly focusing on adult attachment patterns and self-esteem. A sample group of 300 individuals who declared themselves to have a romantic relationship was involved in this research (Mage = 37.83 years, SD = 12.937). They completed an online survey including the Love Addiction Inventory-Short form, Relationship Questionnaire, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results showed significant and positive associations between preoccupied and fearful adult attachment and love addiction. Furthermore, these relationships were totally mediated by self-esteem. Gender and age were controlled as potential covariates and showed significant effects in influencing the levels of self-esteem and love addiction. Such findings may provide useful information for orienting future research and supporting an effective clinical practice.

Impact of Attachment Relationships on Anxiety and Depression

The review delves into the intricate interplay between attachment styles, depression, and anxiety, emphasizing their co-occurrence and profound impact on individuals’ well-being. It underscores the significance of early attachment experiences in shaping emotional regulation and psychological outcomes and how different attachment styles influence emotional well-being, particularly in relation to depression and anxiety. The research further explains the distinct attachment types, including secure, preoccupied, fearful avoidant, and dismissive-avoidant, and their implications on emotion regulation and psychological well-being. Secure attachment fosters positive self-perceptions and healthy relationships, while insecure attachment styles can lead to difficulties in emotional regulation, potentially contributing to heightened vulnerability to depression and anxiety. The study also delves into the societal and environmental factors that may exacerbate mental health challenges among adolescents. It sheds light on how attachment styles are intertwined with mental health outcomes, including depression, social phobia, and suicidal ideation. The review further emphasizes social anxiety’s moderating role in the relationship between attachment style and depression. This understanding holds important implications for clinical interventions, emphasizing the need for tailored treatment approaches that address both attachment patterns and emotional well-being. In conclusion, this comprehensive review provides a nuanced understanding of how early attachment experiences shape emotional regulation and influence mental health outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of considering attachment styles in clinical interventions and highlight the need for early support and intervention to promote mental well-being and prevent the development of anxiety and depression stemming from adverse childhood experiences.

Site-specific attachment of Anodonta anatina (Bivalvia: Unionidae) glochidia on two new fish hosts translocated in Lake Trasimeno (Italy)

To complete their life cycle, freshwater mussels of the order Unionida depend on fishes as hosts for their obligatory parasitic larval phase, the glochidium. Here we report the first documentation of gobioid fishes as hosts of glochidia of unionid mussels in the wild in Italy and in southern Europe (outside of the Danube drainage area). We also examined the pattern of the attached glochidia. A recent review reported 326 fish species as suitable hosts for unionids, but only eight (2.5%) of these were Gobioidei. Host identification and the documentation of their benefits or threats for the interaction of the mussels with their hosts is important for conservation of freshwater mussels. But the co-existence of mussels with non-native fish species is only poorly understood, including the compatibility of these two groups. Knipowitschia panizzae and Pomatoschistus canestrinii, two translocated sand gobies, were sampled in 2022 at the east shore of Lake Trasimeno (Italy). Two species of anodontine mussels were present at this locality, the native Anodonta anatina and the translocated Sinanodonta woodiana. Genetic data revealed that both sand gobies hosted glochidia only of A. anatina but not of S. woodiana, possibly because of seasonal bias. About 50% of the specimens of both fish species were infested. The paired fins were the most prominent targets. The examined individuals of both sand gobies carried only few glochidia (max. 5). Nevertheless, the two species showed a divergent pattern of glochidia attachment.

Smartphone addiction, gender and interpersonal attachment: A cross-sectional analytical survey in Taiwan.

Smartphone use has dramatically increased worldwide, contributing to a profound change in interpersonal interactions. They have become the primary medium of human interaction, and smartphone addiction, consequently, has become a modern-day reality. Recent research on smartphone addiction has provided diverse explanations regarding the correlation between gender and addiction. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the correlation and variance among smartphone addiction, gender and interpersonal attachment. The participants included Taiwanese citizens and the questionnaires were randomly distributed; 1190 valid questionnaires (534 males, 656 females) were collected. Descriptive statistics were computed to observe the average value and standard deviation between interpersonal attachment and gender. Next, Spearman's ρ was conducted to interpret the correlation among smartphone addiction, gender and interpersonal attachment. Finally, the participants were divided into three groups based on their pre-determined level of smartphone addiction: high, moderate and low addictions. The Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed based on interpersonal attachment as the independent variable to determine any statistically significant difference among the three levels. There are four patterns of interpersonal attachment: secure, avoidant, dismissing and anxious attachments. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between interpersonal attachment and smartphone addiction (p > 0.000), while revealing no relationship between gender and smartphone addiction or gender and interpersonal attachment. Additionally, the ANOVA indicated the difference was statistically significant in the groups of high and moderate addictions; no statistical significance was identified in the group of low addiction (p < 0.204). This study revealed that there was no correlation between gender and smartphone addiction, but rather, a positive correlation between smartphone addiction and interpersonal attachment. This positive correlation suggests both high and moderate addiction groups display insecurity in their interpersonal attachment. Therefore, to lower the prevalence of unhealthy smartphone addiction, maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships is suggested.

Supplemental Material for Intergenerational Patterns of Attachment in Custodial Grandfamilies

Supplemental Material for Intergenerational Patterns of Attachment in Custodial Grandfamilies