Priming attachment security improves attitudes towards a range of therapies

Abstract

We sought to understand how attachment orientation influenced attitudes towards different types of psychological therapies. In two studies, we (1) examined attachment orientation as a predictor of attitudes towards different therapies and (2) tested whether attachment security priming could improve attitudes. Study 1 (n = 339) found associations between attachment orientation and attitudes towards, and likelihood of using different therapies. Positive and negative attitudes about different therapies mediated the relationship between attachment avoidance and likelihood of use. Study 2 (n = 412) showed that primed security (vs. neutral prime) improved attitudes towards relational, non-relational and distanced-relational therapies for those with a fearful-avoidant attachment orientation. For relational and distanced-relational therapies, the mechanism of this effect was increased cognitive openness. Attachment orientation is a determinant of therapy attitudes and anticipated help-seeking behaviour. Priming security may promote open-minded decision-making about some therapies. Findings are discussed with relevance to attachment theory, research and clinical practice.

Attachment Security Priming: A Meta-Analysis

“…Furthermore, insecure individuals, especially those high on avoidance, harbor defense mechanisms that may suppress the processing of attachment-related stimuli and thereby reduce the impact of a security prime (see Mikulincer et al, 2009). Another possibility (derived from existing empirical literature) is that security priming will have the same effect on all individuals irrespective of their attachment style (Millings et al, 2019). Given that most people experience different relational interactions with family, romantic partners, and peers throughout their lives, even those who are chronically insecure are likely to have experienced some form of security-enhancing interactions that are stored in long-term memory and can be activated during priming (Gillath et al, 2008; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2016).…”

Enhancing the “Broaden and Build” Cycle of Attachment Security in Adulthood: From the Laboratory to Relational Contexts and Societal Systems

“…Subsequent studies showed that security priming accelerated emotional recovery after recalling an upsetting event [25], inhibited unwanted intrusions of distressing memories [26], attenuated activation in brain areas implicated in reactivity to social threats [27,28], and increased physiological signs of relaxation during stress exposure [29]. There is also evidence that security priming reduces anxiety and depression in clinical and non-clinical samples, enhances mindful attention, and causes distressed people to become more open-minded about therapy [30][31][32][33].…”

The Impact of Repeated Attachment Priming on Paranoia, Mood and Help-Seeking Intentions in an Analogue Sample

“…Security priming has been shown to enhance a range of desirable outcomes, including positive mood, self-views and relationship expectations, empathy, generosity and caregiving [8,10,12]. Importantly from a clinical perspective, security priming can reduce anxiety and depression in clinical and non-clinical populations [13][14][15][16]. Furthermore, if repeatedly delivered, priming effects can be sustained for days in non-clinical and clinical samples [12,17,18].…”