Self-reported anxious- and avoidant-related attachment correlated to interpersonal problems by patients starting psychotherapy

Abstract

Attachment theory is an encompassing theory for understanding human reactions to life stressors, such as loss and separation, and interpersonal problems are common reasons for seeking psychotherapy. Psychotherapy may be an opportunity to revise insecure attachment and handle interpersonal problems. This study examined attachment styles and interpersonal problems in a clinical sample of psychotherapy patients (n = 168) at the start of psychotherapy. The main aim was to study how self-reported attachment styles, measured by the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), correlated with interpersonal problems measured using the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP). Avoidant-related and anxious-related attachment scales correlated positively to the total IIP scores. Inconsistent with findings in nonclinical samples, specific interpersonal problems in the dominant and affiliative parts of the IIP correlated positively to both the anxious-related and the avoidantrelated attachment scales. The findings imply that a challenge for the therapist at the start of psychotherapy is to balance providing security with encouraging exploration of feelings, thoughts, and behaviour in the patient's interpersonal problems in current relationships. Exploring individual profiles of attachment styles helps to clarify motives in expressed interpersonal problems.

Parent and Child Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Mental Illness: A Pilot Study

“…Conversely, insecurity is considered a risk factor for social incompetence and experiencing difficulty in interpersonal skills (Belsky, 1988). Another study found patterns of either social coldness or overnurturing tendencies as associated with an insecure attachment, and a secure attachment was associated with greater openness and trust within interpersonal interactions (Wilhelmsson Göstas, Wiberg, Engström, & Kjellin, 2012). Additional research showed that insecure attachments fostered irrational ideas toward relationships significantly more than secure attachments (Stackert & Bursik, 2002).…”