Depression, Adult Attachment, and Recollections of Parental Caring During Childhood

Abstract

The onset and course of depressive symptoms are influenced by a variety of interpersonal factors. Attachment theory provides a developmental framework for understanding the relationship between depressive symptoms and insecure attachment to one's parents and current romantic partner. The present study examined attachment theory for understanding depression and marital adjustment among 84 psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Participants completed a diagnostic interview and self-report measures of depressive symptoms, adult attachment, marital adjustment, and recollections of childhood relationships with parents. Avoidant (but not anxious) adult attachment mediated the link between current depressive symptoms and patients' recollections of relationships with opposite-sex parents. Although nearly three fourths of the current sample of depressed psychiatric inpatients acknowledged the presence of marital problems, the negative correlation between depressive symptoms and marital adjustment did not reach statistical significance. Attachment theory may aid therapeutic approaches to depression within the context of marriage and other long-term romantic relationships.

Attachment and Couple Satisfaction: The Mediating Effect of Approach and Avoidance Commitment

“…Given anxiously and avoidantly attached individuals' idiosyncratic difficulties establishing a healthy balance between autonomy and closeness (Mikulincer, 2006), they are more likely to experience lower levels of relationship satisfaction (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). Such findings correspond with a large body of research consistently yielding significant inverse associations between attachment insecurity and couple satisfaction (e.g., DiFilippo & Overholser, 2002;Elizur & Mintzer, 2001;Rholes, Simpson, & Friedman, 2006;Ridge & Feeney, 1998;Roberts & Noller, 1997;Treboux, Crowell, & Waters, 2004).…”

Serotonin receptor 2A gene moderates the effect of childhood maternal nurturance on adulthood social attachment

“…Parental nurturing behavior has been considered a strong candidate in affecting child's social attachment (e.g. Bowlby 1988), although not all studies have provided supporting evidence for this relationship (Difilippo & Overholser 2002; Lopez et al 2000; Parker et al 1992). Studies of child temperament have shown how children with different temperaments are differentially susceptible to parenting and quality of child care (e.g.…”

“…However, not all studies have observed consistent associations between parental care and later attachment behaviors. In many studies, the effects have been small (Donnellan et al 2005; Lopez et al 2000) or completely absent (Difilippo & Overholser 2002; Lopez et al 2000; Parker et al 1992). While these inconsistencies may be related to the wide range of definitions and measures used to evaluate both parental care and social attachment, it is also possible that there is heterogeneity in how individuals respond to parental care.…”

Repetitive skin‐cutting: Parental bonding, personality and gender

“…Additionally, studies have repeatedly demonstrated that PBI scores do not appear to be significantly influenced by mood state (e.g. Difilippo & Overholser, 2002; Tait, Birchwood, & Trower, 2004).…”