Adult attachment insecurity is positively associated with medically unexplained chronic pain

McWilliams, Lachlan A.

doi:10.1002/ejp.1036

Cited by 25 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(48 reference statements)

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“…Furthermore, the findings can be explained through the response patterns of individuals with avoidant attachment, who may tend to underreport symptoms of psychopathology (Mikulincer & Shaver, ), or unpleasant and negative emotions (Garrison, Kahn, Sauer, & Florczak, ). The current findings are in line with the research showing that avoidant individuals report physical symptoms more frequently suggesting their tendency to experience psychological distress in the form of physical complaints (McWilliams, ). Thus, avoidant individuals may tend to deny depression and anxiety items on DASS but may be more forthcoming while disclosing stress‐related items which tap into more physiological aspects of distress (e.g., nervous arousal, difficulty relaxing, over‐reactivity).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Attachment and psychological distress: The mediator role of Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies

Altan‐Atalay

İlkmen

2019

J Clin Psychol

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Objective The current study aims to examine the relation between different dimensions of attachment with psychological distress, by specifically focusing on the mediator role of Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies (NMRE), which are considered as a form of coping self‐efficacy. There is ample evidence showing the role of emotion regulation strategies predicting the relationship between attachment and psychological disorders. However, little is known about how NMRE might mediate the relationship between attachment dimensions and psychological distress. Method Four hundred and two (318 women) individuals between ages 18 and 62 (mean = 29.65; standard deviation [SD] = 8.96) completed measures of NMRE, attachment dimensions, and psychological distress. Results NMRE mediated the relationship between anxious attachment dimension and all dimensions of psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress). However, NMRE mediated the relationship of avoidant attachment only with stress. Conclusion Distinct mechanisms explain the relationship between two dimensions of attachment with NMRE and different forms of psychological distress.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Attachment and psychological distress: The mediator role of Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies

Altan‐Atalay

İlkmen

2019

J Clin Psychol

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“…Similarly, Gil et al [31] reported positive associations between ambivalent attachment styles, parental bonding, and alexithymia among patients with somatoform disorders. Particularly, with regard to chronic pain patients, many studies have investigated the relationship between attachment style and chronic pain [32][33][34] as well as parental bonding and chronic pain [35]. The findings suggest that insecure attachment and inadequate parental care are significantly associated with chronic pain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attachment style and parental bonding: Relationships with fibromyalgia and alexithymia

et al. 2020

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Objectives Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome, and alexithymia, which is a condition that is characterised by deficits in emotional self-awareness, is highly prevalent among individuals with FM. Insecure attachment styles and inadequate parental care appear to play an important role in the onset and maintenance of both alexithymia and chronic pain. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the associations between attachment styles, parental bonding, and alexithymia among patients with FM and healthy controls (HC). Methods All participants completed a battery of tests that assessed alexithymia, attachment styles, and parental bonding. Two logistic regression models were tested to examine whether these variables predict (a) group membership (i.e. patients with FM vs. HC) and (b) the likelihood of having alexithymia (i.e. among patients with FM and HC). Results Alexithymia (i.e. difficulty identifying and describing feelings subscales of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale) significantly predicted group membership (i.e. the likelihood of having FM). On the other hand, educational level and dismissive attachment (i.e. the discomfort with closeness and relationships as secondary subscales of the Attachment Style Questionnaire) were the only significant predictors of the likelihood of having alexithymia. Conclusions These findings highlight both the relevance of alexithymic traits to the definition of FM and centrality of an insecure attachment style to the manifestation of alexithymia.

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“…Anno et al (Anno et al 2015) showed that in a general adult populationt the prevalence of chronic pain was higher in individuals reporting affectionless parental bonding style in childhood. Mc Williams et al (McWilliams 2017) found that even after adjusting for depressive and anxiety disorders attachment insecurity was positively associated with medically unexplained chronic pain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defense mechanism is predicted by attachment and mediates the maladaptive influence of insecure attachment on adolescent mental health

Laczkovics

Bendixsen²,

Shpigel

et al. 2018

Curr Psychol

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There is limited research exploring attachment style and defenses in adolescents. The purpose of the current research is to explore the relationship between adolescent attachment style and development of defense mechanisms, as well as attachment style and problem behaviors. A total of 1487 students from two California high-schools completed three self-report questionnaires to establish defense mechanisms, psychiatric symptoms, and attachment style. Attachment styles characterized by a positive selfimage predict greater levels of mature defense mechanisms, and lower levels of immature defense mechanisms, both in the interpersonal and intrapsychic domains. Relationships between insecure attachment styles and psychopathology were mediated by greater levels of immature defense mechanisms. These results provide initial compelling evidence that: a) attachment style is an important determinant of the type of defense mechanisms utilized by the individual to maintain psychological stability; and b) defense mechanisms serve to transmit the detrimental effects of insecure attachment style on psychological health.

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Adult attachment insecurity is positively associated with medically unexplained chronic pain

Abstract: Consistent with earlier research regarding transient physical symptoms, medically unexplained chronic pain was associated with attachment insecurity. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for this association could guide treatment innovations.

Cited by 25 publications

References 32 publications

Attachment and psychological distress: The mediator role of Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies

Attachment and psychological distress: The mediator role of Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies

Attachment style and parental bonding: Relationships with fibromyalgia and alexithymia

Defense mechanism is predicted by attachment and mediates the maladaptive influence of insecure attachment on adolescent mental health

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