Relationship Scales Questionnaire Research Articles

Personality Traits, Attachment Styles, and Financial Attitudes

The present study investigated the relationship between personality traits, attachment styles, and financial attitudes. Data were collected from 299 adults using an Information Form, Five Factor Personality Scale, Relationship Scales Questionnaire, and Financial Attitude Scale in Istanbul, Türkiye. Findings of the structural equation modeling showed that fearful attachment and dismissive attachment were positively associated with neuroticism, while secure attachment was positively associated with the remaining personality traits. Extraversion and agreeableness had mediating effects in the relationship between secure attachment and financial attitude. Therefore, professionals need to consider attachment style and personality traits if the aim is to improve financial behaviors.

Investigating the Relationship between Attachment and Marital Satisfaction in Couples Marital Experiences

This study aimed to examine the relationship between attachment and marital satisfaction in couples' marital experiences. The study included 601 married individuals selected by criterion sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods, and fifteen married couples were interviewed separately. This research was designed using Creswell's simultaneous triangulation design, one of the mixed method designs. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Relationship Scales Questionnaire, Marital Life Scale, and Semi-structured Interview Form prepared by the researchers. The findings of the study revealed that the participants' gender, educational status, type of marriage, fearful attachment, and preoccupied attachment styles did not predict marital satisfaction. In contrast, secure attachment styles positively predicted marital satisfaction, whereas dismissing attachment styles negatively predicted marital satisfaction. In the study, it was concluded that the type of marriage has no effect on marital continuity and satisfaction and that the character traits of the spouses and the way they behave towards each other, the presence of understanding, love, interest, happiness, and peace between the spouses and having children are more determinant. The findings obtained from the study were discussed in line with the relevant literature, and suggestions were made for research and practice.

Comparison of Codependency Characteristics of Individuals with and without Dependent Relatives in Terms of Defense Mechanisms, Family Functionality and Attachment Styles

Objective: This study aimed to identify both the shared and distinct aspects of the codependency characteristics of individuals with (clinical group, n=56) and without dependent relatives (non-clinical group, n=59) by comparing them in terms of personal (defense-mechanisms), domestic (family-functionality), and relational (attachment-styles) contexts.
 Method: Codependency Assessment Tool (CODAT), Defense Styles Questionnaire 40 (DSQ-40), Family Assessment Device (FAD), and Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) were used as data collection tools.
 Results: The clinical group scored statistically significantly higher on CODAT (other focus/self-neglect, low-self-worth, family-of-origin-issues subscales and total), DSQ-40 (immature-defenses subscale), FAD (failure in problem-solving, communication, role-distribution, affective-responsiveness, affective-involvement, general-functioning subscales and total), RSQ (preoccupied-attachment subscale) than the non-clinical group. The non-clinical group scored significantly higher on the mature-defenses subscale than the clinical group. Immature-defenses, failure in problem-solving and preoccupied-attachment predicted codependency in the clinical group whereas in the non-clinical group, immature-defenses and unhealthy-communication were significant predictors of codependency.
 Conclusion: Codependency characteristics differ among individuals with and without dependent family members. As immature defenses predicted codependency in both groups, the use of this defense mechanism may be a fundamental feature of codependency.

A family perspective for the mechanism of parent-child conflict on maternal anxiety in Chinese children with autism

BackgroundMothers of children with autism reported higher levels of anxiety than mothers of typical children. This study revealed the relationship between parent-child conflict, children’s problem behavior, parenting stress, and maternal anxiety from the perspective of the relationship within the family.MethodsThe State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ) were used to measure maternal anxiety and parenting stress respectively from 102 mothers of children with autism. We also collected information on parent-child relationships and children’s problem behaviors by using the Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS) and Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ).ResultsParent-child conflict positively predicted state and trait anxiety in mothers of children with autism. The severity of children’s psychosomatic disorders fully mediated the positive association between parent-child conflict and state-trait anxiety in mothers of children with autism. Parenting stress significantly moderated the impact of parent-child conflict on maternal state anxiety and trait anxiety.ConclusionIn the case of children with autism spectrum disorders, parent-child conflict can directly affect maternal anxiety levels, especially when mothers have low levels of parenting stress. Parent-child conflict can also affect children’s problem behaviors and thus indirectly affect maternal anxiety. Therefore, this study is of great significance for the alleviation of anxiety of mothers of autistic children and the family intervention for the early rehabilitation of autistic children.

Adaptation of the Coparenting Relationship Scale Questionnaire to Spanish Parents with Offspring.

The scientific literature supports that practicing positive coparenting leads to the healthy development of children. Consequently, professional interest in parenting and coparenting has experienced significant growth, and evaluating coparenting is crucial in family psychology for establishing action protocols in clinical practice. An instrument highly regarded within the scientific community for evaluating coparenting dynamics is The Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS). This research aims to achieve two objectives: first, to adapt the CRS for the Spanish population of both engaged and separated/divorced parents and to ascertain its reliability, validity, and factorial invariance psychometric properties; second, to assess the effectiveness of the total coparenting measure in categorizing sample participants. A cross-sectional non-experimental investigation was conducted to address these objectives. The first objective was answered by conducting an instrumental study, and the second by an exploratory study using classification techniques and a causal-comparative study using multivariate inferential methods. It was concluded that the model comprising 20 items across two factors, Positive Coparenting and Negative Perception of Coparenting, is the simplest and best fit for the Spanish parent sample; it is invariant regarding gender and marital status, and the measures derived from each factor demonstrate reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. The resulting questionnaire for Spanish parents is named CRS-SEg-S&D. The Coparental Vitality measure calculated using the total weighted measure of CRS-SEg-S&D allows the sample of participants to be divided into three differentiated clusters called Coparental Robustness, Moderate Coparenting, and Coparenting Rickets.

Attachment Styles and Loneliness as Predictors of Phubbing amongst University Students

Due to the increase in the use of technology, more loneliness and phubbing have been observed in individuals. In this concept, the relationship between attachment styles, loneliness, and phubbing was examined in this study. The research data was collected from 288 students, 224 of whom were women (77.8%) and 64 of whom were men (22.2%). The data was collected using the Relationship Scales Questionnaire, the UCLA Loneliness Scale Short Form (ULS-8), and the General Phubbing Scale. The data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and regression methods in accordance with the aim of the research. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed that there is a relationship a positive and significant relationship between phubbing and loneliness, fearful attachment, dismissive-avoidant attachment, and preoccupied attachment. However, the relationship between phubbing and secure attachment was found to be insignificant. According to the regression analysis, phubbing was predicted by loneliness, fearful attachment, and preoccupied attachment, but not by secure attachment and dismissive- avoidant attachment styles.

Evaluating Maternal Attachment Patterns and Newborns’ Oxygen Saturation Levels: Health Behavior Implications

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of maternal attachment styles on the oxygen saturation level of infants in relation to the health behavior. Methods: The data for the current study was collected from mothers who were being treated in Newborn Intensive Care by dividing their newborns into two groups in accordance with their changed oxygen levels to determine an effective health behavior for treating them and achieving the required health outcomes. In this regard, the health behavior of the mothers, focusing on their psychological and physical well-being, was also taken into consideration. Psychometric measures were evaluated by instruments like State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Experiences in Close Relationships, and Relationship Scales Questionnaire. Results: Sixty-nine newborns and their mothers were included in the study. It was discovered that mothers of infants whose oxygen levels increased after contact had significantly higher rates of secure attachment, due to effective health behavior practices, than those with fearful and dismissing attachment styles. Infants′ oxygen saturation level whose mothers had higher rates on the HAM-A somatic subscale did not change or worsened significantly after physical contact (46.7%, 23.5%, p = 0.050, respectively). Conclusions: It was found that the change in an infant's oxygen saturation level after physical contact may be associated with the maternal attachment patterns which are highly influenced by mothers′ health behavior.

Functional Impairment, Attachment, and Affective Temperaments in Euthymic Patients with Bipolar Disorder.

Functional impairment in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder is a compelling issue, and revealing unknown related factors with functional impairment is a substantial topic. We aimed to assess the effects of clinical factors, affective temperaments, and attachment on overall functioning in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. Sixty-three patients with bipolar disorder and 61 healthy controls participated in this study. The assessment involved Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; Young Mania Rating Scale; Relationship Scales Questionnaire; Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego; and Functioning Assessment Short Test. Secure attachment scores were significantly higher in the control group than in the bipolar disorder group. Depressive, anxious, and cyclothymic temperament scores were significantly higher in the bipolar disorder group. In the bipolar disordergroup higher occupational, cognitive, autonomy, interpersonal relationships, and leisure subdomain and overall functional impairment scores were found than in the healthy control group. Secure attachment scores were significantly and negatively correlated with anxious and depressive temperaments. Secure attachment scores were positively and significantly correlated with hyperthymic temperament scores. Years of education; subclinical depressive symptoms; secure attachment; and cyclothymic, irritable, depressive, hyperthymic, and anxious temperaments were all significantly correlated with the overall functional impairment in the patient group. The cyclothymic and anxious temperament positively predicted the overall functional impairment in the bipolar group, while the secure attachment negatively predicted the overall functional impairment in the regression analysis. The results suggest that, when following up the patients with bipolar disorder in relation to functional impairment, secure attachment, cyclothymic, and anxious temperaments should be taken into consideration.

Attachment and Mental Health of Men Having Sex with Men Engaging in Chemsex: Is Substance Abuse Only the Tip of the Iceberg?

ABSTRACT Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) with problematic chemsex (a specific sexualized drug use pattern) face several health issues. The aim of this monocentric observational study was to assess the mental health history and attachment style (AS) within 71 GBMSM seeking care for problematic chemsex. Attachment style (AS) was evaluated using the Relationship Scales Questionnaire. 82% of the cohort (58) had at least one mental health disorder (among depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder or hypersexuality). 9.9% were admitted to intensive care due to chemsex use. Traumas were frequent, with 31% reporting childhood sex abuse and 24% declaring having attempted suicide. 62 (87%) had insecure AS: 38% preoccupied, 23% fearful and 24% dismissing. Users with a positive self model (N = 24) had fewer comorbidities (63% vs 92%, p = .003) and practiced more chemsex alone (75% vs 33%, p < .001) than users with negative self model (N = 47). Users with a positive other model (N = 35) practiced more slamsex (injections of substance in a sexual context) (80% vs 50%, p = .008) and had fewer comorbidities (71% vs 92%, p = .027) than users with a negative other model (N = 36). Attachment theory is a way to provide holistic and tailored and harm reduction.

Uzman Hekimlerin Bağlanma Stilleri ve Bağlanma Stillerinin Uzmanlık Dalıyla İlişkisi

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the attachment styles of specialist physicians and to examine the differences in attachment styles according to their specialty and whether they are placed in their first preference in the medical specialty exam (TUS).&#x0D; Method: A total of 92 physicians were included in the study. Individual information collection forms and the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) were administered to all participants. Participants were asked about their gender, their specialization field, and whether their current specialization field was their first choice in the Medical Specialization Exam (TUS). Specialization fields were divided into 4 groups: surgical specialties, internal medicine specialties, basic medical sciences, and family medicine specialization.&#x0D; Results: Among all participants, 14.1% exhibited secure attachment, 57.6% displayed fearful attachment, 32.6% demonstrated preoccupied attachment, and 3.3% had dismissive attachment. There was no significant difference in attachment styles based on the participants' genders. There was no significant difference in attachment styles based on whether they entered their first choice in the Medical Specialization Exam (TUS). There was no significant difference in attachment styles based on the specialization fields in which the participants received their education.&#x0D; Conclusion: Among expert physicians, anxious attachment was the most common attachment style. Although there was no statistically significant difference in attachment styles based on physicians' specialization fields, family medicine and internal medicine practitioners exhibited a higher rate of secure attachment compared to those in the basic medical and surgical sciences. Determination of other possible motivational factors as well as attachment styles could provide guidance and insight to the physician in this choice that will affect her/his whole life

Social Anxiety from an Attachment Theory Perspective: The Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schema Domains and Rejection Sensitivity

Social anxiety is a common problem. Several factors play a role in the development and maintenance of social anxiety. Since relationship with parents is specifically an important factor, it is important to examine social anxiety from an attachment theory perspective. Studies indicate that early maladaptive schemas and rejection sensitivity may play a role in the relationship between attachment pattern and psychological distress. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine the mediating role of early maladaptive schema domains and rejection sensitivity in the relationship between internal working models of attachment and social anxiety. The sample of the study consisted of 557 university students (199 male, 358 female) between the ages of 17-27 (M = 20.69, SD = 1.79). Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Relationship Scales Questionnaire, Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3, and Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire were administered to the participants. Results of the mediation analysis with Bootstrapping showed that Impaired Autonomy schema domain and rejection sensitivity mediated the relationships between attachment self-model and social anxiety. Moreover, schema domains of Impaired Autonomy, Impaired Limits and Unrelenting Standards, and rejection sensitivity mediated the relationship between attachment other-model and social anxiety. The current study may contribute to the literature by providing an understanding of how the relationship between attachment and social anxiety may emerge. Clinicians aiming to increase clients’ functionality and quality of life should/could focus on their clinical practice on the above early maladaptive schema domains and rejection sensitivity.

Attachment patterns, self-compassion, and coping strategies in patients with chronic pain.

In the recent year's literature, attachment insecurity is described as a vulnerability factor among patients with chronic pain, associated with poor pain coping, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, greater pain intensity, and disability. Self-compassion, on the other hand, is described as a protective factor, associated with lower levels of negative affect, catastrophizing, depression, and anxiety in patients with chronic pain. In this study, we aim to explore the association between attachment, self-compassion quality, and coping strategies, in patients with chronic pain. Thus, 134 eligible patients with chronic pain were recruited at the certified Evaluation and Treatment Pain Center of the A. de Rothschild Foundation in Paris. We used a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Relationship Scale Questionnaire (RSQ-RC), the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Brief COPE. Results supported our principal hypothesis; securely attached participants reported a significantly higher global self-compassion score compared with insecurely attached ones. Secure attachment and higher self-compassion levels were positively correlated with functional coping strategies and negatively correlated with dysfunctional ones. Attachment patterns may be the basis of someone's ability to be compassionate to himself and to cope adequately with a difficult situation, such as a chronic pain condition. An attachment-informed approach to pain management could offer a better understanding of the complexity of this clinical condition and potentially provide appropriate support for both patients and health professionals, aiming to improve the effectiveness of interventions.

Review of the Relationship Between High School Students’ Career Adaptability Levels and Their Attachment Styles

This research is a descriptive study in the relational screening model that aims to examine the relationship between the career adaptability levels and attachment styles of high school students. The study group consists of a total of 582 students, 362 girls and 220 boys, who are attending the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades in 4 high schools in the central districts of Adana. The age range of the participants is between 14 and 19 years old. In the study, data on the career adaptability of adolescent students were obtained by using the &amp;lsquo;Career Adaptability Skills Scale,&amp;rsquo; the data on attachment styles were obtained by using the &amp;lsquo;Relationship Scales Questionnaire,&amp;rsquo; and the data on personal information were obtained by using the &amp;lsquo;Personal Information Form&amp;rsquo; prepared by the researcher. In the analysis of the data of the study, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, t-test, analysis of variance and standard multiple regression analysis techniques were used. According to the results of the research, while there was a significant relationship between career adaptability abilities and secure, fearful and obsessive attachment, it was seen that there was no relationship with indifferent attachment. When the results of multiple regression analysis are examined, it is seen that attachment scale sub-dimensions are a significant predictor of career adapt-abilities. The only predictor of high school students&amp;rsquo; career adapt-abilities is secure attachment. Other variables were found to be meaningless.

An Evaluation of Psychogenic Predictors of Non-Organic Erectile Dysfunction.

Background and Objectives: Erectile dysfunction is a significant problem, which diminishes the quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of childhood trauma and attachment styles in the aetiology of psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Materials and Methods: The study included 80 participants (40 patients who presented with the complaint of erectile dysfunction, were not determined with an organic pathology, and were diagnosed with erectile dysfunction according to the DSM-5 criteria; and a control group of 40 healthy subjects.) The structured clinical interview form for DSM-5 (SCID-5) was applied to all the participants, together with the International Erectile Function Index (IIEF), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Relationship Scale Questionnaire (RSQ), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: The emotional abuse (p = 0.002), physical abuse (p = 0.049), emotional neglect (p = 0.004), physical neglect (p = 0.002), and total scale points of the CTQ were determined to be significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. Secure (p = 0.022) and dismissive (p = 0.009) attachment styles were found to be higher in the control group. As the time together with the current sexual partner increased, so the severity of erectile dysfunction increased, and sexual function, orgasmic function, sexual satisfaction, and general satisfaction decreased. As emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect increased, the severity of erectile dysfunction increased. Childhood trauma (β = -0.275, t (73) = -2.704, p = 0.009) and the duration together with the partner (β = -0.249, t (73) = -2.512, p = 0.014) were found to be predictive of erectile dysfunction. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that childhood trauma and the time elapsed without treatment are predictors of psychogenic erectile dysfunction severity, and secure attachment style and self-esteem play an important role in the aetiology of psychogenic erectile dysfunction.

Ergenlerdeki bağlanma stilleri ve duygu düzenleme güçlükleri ile psikiyatrik bozuklukları arasındaki ilişki

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to compare the attachment styles and emotion regulation difficulties of adolescents with psychiatric disorders and healthy adolescents, and to examine the factors affecting attachment styles and emotion regulation difficulties.&#x0D; Material-methods: In this case-control study, DSM-5 diagnostic system was used for psychiatric diagnoses of adolescents, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF) was used to measure adolescents' levels of emotional dysregulation, and Relationships Scales Questionnaire(RSQ) was used to assess attachment styles.&#x0D; Results: Major depressive disorder (MDD) (42.9%) was the most common psychiatric diagnosis. The lowest DERS-SF total score and the highest secure attachment were found in the control group (p

Childhood maltreatment and late-life generalized anxiety disorder: Are personality and attachment characteristics mediators?

Childhood maltreatment and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are related in adulthood. This association is not clear in the elderly. This work aims to investigate the role of adult attachment style and personality traits in the association between childhood maltreatment and late-life GAD. Our study sample consisted of 260 patients recruited into the Cerebral Aging Program of the city of Porto Alegre (Brazil) assessed between July 2015 and July 2016. A clinical interview using the Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview 5.0 (DSM-5 criteria) yielded psychiatric diagnoses. Patients completed the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) for maltreatment, the relationship scales questionnaire (RSQ) for adult attachment style and the Brazilian 60-item version of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) for personality characteristics. We aimed to examine, using sequential multimediation analysis, if attachment and personality traits style could be mediators between childhood maltreatment and GAD. 20% presented late-life GAD (n=52), 29% of whom had been maltreated. Neuroticism positively mediated and extraversion negatively mediated the relation between childhood maltreatment and late-life GAD. Attachment anxiety mediated this relation in a sequential way suggesting a path from childhood trauma through attachment and personality traits towards late-life GAD. The small sample and the retrospective and cross-sectional study design mean that causal conclusions must be interpreted with caution. Our results suggest a chronological path from childhood maltreatment to late-life GAD, passing through attachment anxiety predicting higher levels of neuroticism and lower levels of extraversion predicting late-life GAD.

Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms For Beck Depression Inventory Measured Depression Status Classification

IntroductionDepression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by low mood and anhedonia. The diagnosis of depression and the initiation of treatment is important for improving quality of life and avoiding disability. Machine learning (ML), can be used for solving classification and regression problems.In this study, scores of multiple psychiatric scales were used to detect depression and different ML algorithms were used to study if they can help for diagnosing depression accurately.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study is to detect with high accuracy whether people are depressed or not by using widely used ML algorithms. It is also aimed to compare the algorithms used to predict depression with each other.MethodsData were collected from 96 university students. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory, Neo Personality Inventory, Chronic Stress Scale (CSS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PTSD), SHAPS, Relationship Scales Questionnaire and Dissociative Events Scale were applied. 14 points from the BDI was accepted as the cut-off value as depressed. Total scores of each scale was used as the dependent variable in the Xgboost (XGB) to classify the depression. By XGB, the most important 4 of these surveys and scales were selected to use in the Non-Linear (NL) models such as XGB, Decision Trees (DT), Support Vector Machines (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN). Lastly, a linear model as a Logistic Regression (LR) model was also used to compare with the NL algorithms. The success of the models was measured with the Cross Validation method, which is the gold standard in ML.ResultsIn the model in which all measurements are used as Independent Variables (IV), the XGB highlighted 4 scale scores: these are CSS, PSS, SHAPS and PTSD. All scale scores were used as IV, both XGB and DT classified depression with a success of 87.5%, while this score increased to 89.6% in both models when 4 prominent scales’ scores were used as IV. In the KNN, the classification made with prominent scales increased the success from 83% to 86%. The variance explanation rate of the LR model using 4 prominent scales remained at 58%.ConclusionsWith ML’s ability to solve NL relationships and dimensional reduction ability, models in which a large number of variables are input and there is no high correlation between dependent variables and IV can be classified with high success. Also, the success of the models was increased by choosing the most importants of the many IV and the variables that contributed negatively to the model could be excluded. The use of ML can yield promising results in fields such as psychiatry where linear relationships cannot be observed much.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Comparing the effectiveness of treatment based on acceptance and commitment with and without self-compassion, conscious attention to the spiritual reactions of women with corona anxiety and insecure attachment to their spouses

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with and without self-compassion mindfulness on the spiritual reactions of women with COVID-19 anxiety who have insecure attachment to their husbands, with a two-month follow-up period. Method: This clinical trial was conducted in 2021 on 48 female teachers in Zahedan. Women with COVID-19 anxiety and insecure attachment to their husbands were selected through purposive sampling and randomly divided into three groups: Intervention 1 (16 participants receiving ACT), Intervention 2 (16 participants receiving ACT with self-compassion mindfulness), and a control group (16 participants). The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, Relationship Scales Questionnaire, Patience Scale, and the Spiritual Control Language Questionnaire were used, and data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Results: Results showed that ACT with and without self-compassion mindfulness, compared to the control group, significantly increased cognitive control of language and patience (P &lt; 0.05). ACT combined with self-compassion mindfulness was more effective in improving cognitive control of language and patience than ACT alone, and this effect was maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: ACT combined with self-compassion mindfulness, as a sustainable intervention, can be used in health and treatment centers for women with COVID-19 anxiety who have insecure attachment to their husbands, to enhance cognitive control of language and patience.

Attachment Security and Cortical Activity Measured by Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy During a Working Memory Task in Healthy Young Adults.

Attachment style has been associated with socio-emotional outcomes, however little evidence suggests a possible association with executive functioning. Few studies have demonstrated that attachment style mediates working memory and learning relationships. We hypothesized that attachment style affects performance and cortical activity patterns of working memory. We compared working memory performance and cortical activity in securely and insecurely attached first-year college students (N=49) using three n-back task conditions. Cortical activity was recorded by functional near-infrared spectroscopy during these three conditions of the n-back task. Attachment style was assessed using the Relationship Scale Questionnaire, categorized into four groups. Both study groups showed similar working memory performance. The cortical representation of working memory was different between the two groups. The securely attached group demonstrated higher activity in the right superior frontal and superior-medial frontal areas across all n-back conditions as well as in the right superior frontal cortex during the two-back and three-back conditions. The insecurely attached group displayed higher activity in the bilateral supplementary motor area and the left premotor area only during the three-back condition. These findings emphasize the potential influence of attachment style on the cortical representation of working memory. Different activity maps between the two groups may reflect varying cognitive strategies employed to achieve a comparable working memory performance. Moreover, these results suggest that each style may have a distinct strategy to achieve attachment-relevant and irrelevant neurocognitive tasks.

Kişilik Bozukluğu İnançlarında Savunma Mekanizmaları ve Bağlanma Biçimlerinin Rolünün Klinik ve Klinik Olmayan Örneklemlerde Incelenmesi

Attachment styles, defense mechanisms, and the underlying personality disorders’ personality beliefs are considered to be closely related to psychopathology. The aim of this study is to compare the scores of attachment styles, defense mechanisms, and personality beliefs variables in a non-clinical group and a clinical group diagnosed with depression, obsessive-compulsive, and anxiety disorder and to examine the relationships between these variables. A total of 178 participated in the study, 59 of which were in the clinical group and 119 in the nonclinical group. The Personality Belief Questionnaire-Short Form (PBQ-SF), The Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40), and Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) were applied to the participants. Avoidant, dependent, passive-aggressive, obsessive-compulsive (OC), antisocial, schizoid, paranoid, and borderline personality belief scores were found to be higher in the clinical group, while mature defense scores were significantly higher in the nonclinical group. On the other hand, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of attachment styles. According to multiple linear regression analysis results, attachment styles and defense mechanisms predicted personality disorder beliefs in the range of 19.5% to 33.5% for the clinical group and 22.7% to 46.9% for the nonclinical group. In conclusion, the findings suggest that attachment styles and defense mechanisms may contribute to the understanding of the etiological causes of personality disorders and may be helpful in the treatment of personality disorders.