A cross-diagnostic cluster analysis of attachment styles in patients with emotional dysregulation

Abstract

Background Insecure adult attachment has been associated with emotional dysregulation and subsequently with disorders involving this concept, such as borderline personality disorder (BPD), bipolar disorder (BD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about the characteristics related to different attachment patterns. The aim of this study was to identify clusters of adult attachment style in a cross-diagnostic group of patients with BDP and/or BD and/or ADHD and explore the characteristics of these clusters based on temperament profile, childhood trauma and psychiatric diagnoses. Methods K-means cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups, based on the Attachment Style Questionnaire Short Form dimensions, in a clinical cohort of 150 young adults (113 women and 37 men, mean age ± SD = 23.3 ± 2.1) diagnosed with BPD, and/or BD, and/or ADHD. Results Three distinct clusters were identified: a secure, an insecure/avoidant-anxious and an insecure/avoidant cluster. These three clusters differed in temperament profile and related psychiatric diagnoses. Conclusions Assessing attachment might be a tool for identifying the most disordered individuals among patients with emotional dysregulation.