Attachment Styles and Symptoms in Individuals with Psychosis

Background: The capacity to manage affects is rooted in early interactions with caregivers, which in adulthood are internalized as different attachment styles. Few studies have explored associations between all four attachment styles and symptoms.

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the relations between the four attachment styles and psychological distress in a group of people with psychosis.

Method: In a cross-sectional study, associations between self-reported attachment style and symptoms in a psychosis group were explored. Attachment styles were measured with the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) and symptoms were assessed with the revised version of the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90R) RESULTS: The analyses showed a significant positive association between preoccupied attachment and the severity of symptoms. Furthermore, the analyses indicated significant positive associations between preoccupied attachment and the subscales measuring depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia and psychoticism. We also found significant positive associations between fearful attachment and both interpersonal sensitivity and psychoticism.

Conclusion: The associations between attachment styles and symptoms found here are consistent with those of previous studies. It could be important for clinicians to identify patients' attachment styles. Such knowledge would help mental health professionals to understand better the patients' capacity to handle distress and help professionals to address interventions aiming to target each patient's specific needs.