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Blake JA, Thomas HJ, Hurst CP, Pelecanos AM, McGee TR, Najman JM, Scott JG. A two-generation study of attachment in mothers and their young adult offspring: Latent classes of attachment and associations with anxiety and depression. J Affect Disord 2024; 358:361-368. [PMID: 38734244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence supports the conceptualization of adult attachment as existing along a continuum of attachment security and insecurity; however, ongoing debates persist regarding the use of categorical versus continuous approaches to studying attachment. Attachment data collected from a large community sample of mothers and their offspring in young adulthood were used to examine i) latent classes of adult attachment, ii) associations between mother and offspring attachment, iii) the relationship between adult attachment and mental health symptoms. METHODS Mothers and offspring were each administered the Attachment Style Questionnaire when offspring were aged 21-years. Latent class analyses (LCA) were performed to examine response patterns across ASQ items. Associations between mothers' and offspring attachment, and correlations between attachment domains and depression/anxiety subscales were examined. RESULTS LCA identified four latent classes across a continuum of secure and insecure attachment rather than four distinct adult attachment styles. Anxious attachment subscales correlated strongly with depression/anxiety symptoms in both cohorts. Mothers' attachment was significantly but weakly correlated with their young adult offspring attachment. LIMITATIONS Attachment was measured at one time point and as such, a causal maternal-offspring attachment relationship could not be established. CONCLUSIONS Findings support a dimensional view of attachment security and insecurity over a four-category model of adult attachment. Attachment correlated with anxiety and depressive symptoms and highlights the importance of considering adult attachment when addressing mental health. There was limited evidence of a relationship between middle aged mothers and their offspring in young adulthood, suggesting other factors influence attachment in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Blake
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia; School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Qld, Australia; Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Hannah J Thomas
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia; School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Qld, Australia
| | - Cameron P Hurst
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia; Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Tara Renae McGee
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, QLD, Australia
| | - Jake M Najman
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - James G Scott
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Qld, Australia; Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Li X, Yang Y, Wang R, Zhou L, Zheng X. Secure attachment priming inhibits the generalization of conditioned fear. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:358. [PMID: 38890761 PMCID: PMC11186254 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01857-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fear overgeneralization constitutes a susceptibility factor contributing to the development and maintenance of anxiety spectrum disorders. Extant research has demonstrated that exposure to positive and supportive social relationships attenuates fear acquisition and promotes the extinction of conditioned fear responses. However, the literature lacks investigation into the effect of secure attachment priming on inhibiting the generalization of conditioned fear. METHODS In this study, college students were recruited via online platforms to voluntarily engage in the experimental procedures, resulting in 57 subjects whose data were deemed suitable for analysis. The experimental protocol consisted of four consecutive phases: pre-acquisition, acquisition, priming, and generalization. The priming phase consisted of two experimental conditions: secure attachment priming (experimental group) and positive emotion priming (control group). This study adopted the perceptual discrimination fear conditioning paradigm, employing subjective expectancy of shock ratings and skin conductance responses as primary assessment indices. Individual difference variables were measured using corresponding psychological measurement scales. RESULTS In terms of generalization degree, a notable divergence surfaced in the skin conductance responses across various generalization materials between the secure attachment priming group and the control group. Similarly, during generalization extinction, a significant disparity emerged in the skin conductance responses across different generalization phases between the secure attachment priming group and the control group. In addition, individual differences analyses revealed that the inhibitory effect of secure attachment priming on fear generalization was not affected by intolerance of uncertainty and attachment orientations. Conversely, slope analyses confirmed that as intolerance of uncertainty increased, the inhibitory effect of positive emotion priming on fear generalization was attenuated. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that activating participants' representations of secure attachment via imagination effectively attenuates the generalization of perceptual fear at the physiological level. The inhibitory effect of secure attachment priming appears to be distinct from positive emotional modulation and remains unaffected by individual trait attachment styles. These results offer novel insights and avenues for the prevention and clinical intervention of anxiety spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Li
- Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China.
| | - Yong Yang
- School of Educational Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Ranran Wang
- Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China
| | - Lehong Zhou
- Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China
| | - Xifu Zheng
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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Gingras AS, Brassard A, Péloquin K, Lafontaine MF, Brault-Labbé A, Gosselin P. Anxiety and depressive symptoms in first-time parents: A dyadic longitudinal study based on attachment theory. J Affect Disord 2024; 355:122-130. [PMID: 38552919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine the temporal and dyadic associations between anxiety and depressive symptoms during the transition to parenthood (TTP), while exploring the antecedence of attachment insecurities in these associations. METHOD Couples of first-time parents (N = 211) completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Experiences in Close Relationships scale, and a sociodemographic questionnaire during the second trimester of pregnancy and at four and twelve months postpartum. RESULTS Both prenatal anxiety and depressive symptoms predicted postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms. Prenatal attachment-related anxiety predicted higher postnatal anxiety and depressive symptoms whereas prenatal attachment-related avoidance predicted higher postnatal depressive symptoms only. Parents whose partners had a higher level of prenatal attachment-related anxiety experienced higher postnatal anxious and depressive symptoms via their own's prenatal depressive symptoms. Parents whose partners had a higher level of prenatal attachment-related avoidance experienced higher postnatal depressive symptoms via their own's prenatal anxious symptoms. No gender differences were found for these associations. LIMITATIONS The sample was predominantly composed of educated heterosexual French-Canadian Caucasian couples and all measures were self-reported. CONCLUSIONS Our original findings suggest that professionals should routinely screen for anxiety and depressive symptoms in both partners from pregnancy up to one year postpartum. Also, our findings suggest addressing attachment insecurities with both partners to prevent the development of future symptoms during pregnancy or after childbirth. Finally, our study supports the relevance of considering these symptoms at subclinical levels during the TTP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Audrey Brassard
- Department of Psychology, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | | | | | | | - Patrick Gosselin
- Department of Psychology, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
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Hu L, Chen X, Li S, Lei X, Yang Y, Wei J. Attachment and sleep quality in adults: A multilevel meta-analysis of actor and partner effect. Sleep Med 2024; 118:43-58. [PMID: 38608415 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2024.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Within the context of sleep, attachment is hypothesized to play a central role in regulating bedtime affect and arousal. While previous studies have suggested a link between attachment and sleep quality, a meta-analysis specifically examining this association in adults has been lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a series of multilevel meta-analyses of 28 studies on this topic. Our results indicated a correlation between attachment anxiety and an individual's own sleep quality (r = -0.16, p < 0.001), as well as their partner's sleep quality (r = -0.10, p < 0.05). There was also a negative correlation between attachment avoidance and an individual's sleep quality (r = -0.15, p < 0.001) as well as their partner's sleep quality (r = -0.16, p < 0.01). Additionally, the relationships were moderated by several variables, including age, sleep measurement, and gender. Further analysis indicated that attachment anxiety was associated with poorer subjective sleep quality (PSQI) (r = -0.23, p < 0.001), longer sleep latency (r = -0.10, p < 0.05), increased wakefulness after sleep onset (r = -0.09, p < 0.05), and greater daytime sleepiness (r = -0.20, p < 0.01). Attachment avoidance was associated with poorer self-reported sleep quality (PSQI) (r = -0.16, p < 0.001), longer time to fall asleep (r = -0.15, p < 0.05), and increased daytime sleepiness (r = -0.15, p < 0.05). In summary, the findings of the current study supported the association between attachment insecurity and poorer sleep quality in both individuals and their partners. These findings hold important implications for future interventions aimed at improving sleep quality by addressing attachment-related concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Hu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Tiansheng Road, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Tiansheng Road, Beibei, Chongqing, China.
| | - Song Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Tiansheng Road, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Xu Lei
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Tiansheng Road, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Tiansheng Road, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiahao Wei
- Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China
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Majd M, Chen MA, Chirinos DA, Brown RL, LeRoy AS, Murdock KW, Lydia Wu-Chung E, Thayer JF, Fagundes CP. Trajectories of depressive symptoms early in the course of bereavement: Patterns, psychosocial factors and risk of prolonged grief. Stress Health 2024; 40:e3340. [PMID: 37926770 PMCID: PMC11069593 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
In the context of bereavement, little is known about the mechanisms that differentiate normative adjustment patterns from those that may indicate potential psychopathology. This study aimed to replicate and extend previous work by (1) characterizing the trajectories of depressive symptoms from 3 to 12 months after the loss of a spouse, (2) examining whether (a) childhood maltreatment and attachment style predicted distinct depression trajectories, and (b) different depression trajectories were associated with the risk of prolonged grief at 12 months post-loss. Recently bereaved individuals (N = 175) completed self-report assessments at 3, 4, 6, and 12-months post-loss. Trajectories of depressive symptoms were estimated using group-based trajectory modelling. Four distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms were identified: (1) resilience (minimal/no depression across time points; 45%), (2) moderate depression-improved (alleviated to 'mild' by 12 months; 31%), (3) severe depression-improved (alleviated to 'moderate' by 12 months; 15%), and (4) chronic depression ('severe' symptoms across time points; 9%). Higher childhood maltreatment predicted a greater likelihood of belonging to the 'severe depression-improved' and 'chronic depression' groups than the 'resilient' and 'moderate depression-improved' groups. Widow(er)s with higher attachment anxiety were more likely to belong to the 'severe depression-improved' and 'chronic depression' groups than the 'resilient' group. The trajectory groups with persistent levels of depressive symptoms up until 6 months were more likely to exhibit prolonged grief at 12 months post-loss. Changes from pre-loss functioning cannot be estimated. Our findings provide insight into the early identification of post-loss prolonged grief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Majd
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University
- Mood and Psychosis Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | | | - Diana A. Chirinos
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Ryan L. Brown
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Angie S. LeRoy
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Baylor University
| | - Kyle W. Murdock
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University
| | | | - Julian F. Thayer
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of California–Irvine
| | - Christopher P. Fagundes
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University
- Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine
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6
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Slep AMS, Heyman RE, Daly KA, Baucom KJW. Considering context: Current relationship satisfaction in a second-generation model of men's physical intimate partner violence. FAMILY PROCESS 2024. [PMID: 38802987 DOI: 10.1111/famp.13010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Despite a half-century of scholarship devoted to explicating and disrupting the intergenerational transmission of family violence, it remains a prominent and destructive social force in the United States. Theoretical models have posited a variety of historical and concurrent risk and protective factors implicated in the trajectory from childhood violence exposure to adult perpetration. Using a second-generation model of intimate partner violence (IPV), we integrated social learning and attachment conceptualizations to examine pathways from family-of-origin violence to IPV perpetration among adult men. A sample of mixed-sex couples (N = 233) completed self-report measures related to social learning and attachment-based factors (e.g., violence in past relationships, child exposure, IPV attitudes, adult attachment) and participated in a 10-min conversation about a desired area for change in their relationship. Following, each partner participated in a video-mediated-recall procedure assessing their anger volatility and eliciting attributions of their partners' behavior. We tested mediation pathways (consistent with social learning and attachment theories) between violence in men's families of origin and their adult IPV perpetration as a function of relationship satisfaction. The proposed model fit the data well (CFI = 0.95) but had notable modifications from the hypothesized model. Generally, social-learning pathways were more consistent with the data. Relationship satisfaction interacted with some parameters. Results support theoretical advances in understanding IPV. Although exposure to violence in men's family of origin confers risk for later IPV, and a social learning developmental pathway is consistent with results, some of these effects are altered by relationship context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M Smith Slep
- Family Translational Research Group, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard E Heyman
- Family Translational Research Group, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kelly A Daly
- Family Translational Research Group, New York University, New York, New York, USA
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Richardson E, Beath A, Boag S. The Development of the Attachment Defenses Questionnaire (ADQ-50): A Preliminary Examination of Reliability, Validity, and Factor Structure. J Pers Assess 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38776445 DOI: 10.1080/00223891.2024.2353142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
This paper marks the initial phase in the development of the Attachment Defenses Questionnaire (ADQ-50), a self-report tool crafted to assess defense mechanisms associated with attachment processes, catering to both clinical and research contexts. Anchored in the theoretical framework of attachment theory, the ADQ posits that an individual's internalized attachment style plays a influential role in predicting their defense mechanisms. The paper outlines the comprehensive development and refinement process of the ADQ-50. In Study 1 a preliminary 176-item version of the ADQ was examined. Data was collected online drawing from participants sourced from Prolific and undergraduate students (N = 1994). Study 2 further refined the ADQ, evaluating its initial convergent validity with a diverse participant pool (N = 726), including undergraduates, Prolific contributors, general practice medical patients, and individuals from social media. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a robust ten-factor structure, resulting in a 50-item scale aligning with theoretical expectations and demonstrating good psychometric properties. Findings, limitations, strengths and future research directions are discussed. We posit that the ADQ holds great potential to deepen our comprehension of defense mechanisms linked to attachment, with wide-ranging implications for clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Richardson
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alissa Beath
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Simon Boag
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Rinne GR, Podosin M, Mahrer NE, Shalowitz MU, Ramey SL, Dunkel Schetter C. Prospective associations of prenatal stress with child behavior: Moderation by the early childhood caregiving environment. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38738363 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579424000920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Fetal exposure to prenatal stress can increase risk for psychopathology but postnatal caregiving may offset risk. This study tests whether maternal sensitivity and the home environment during early childhood modify associations of prenatal stress with offspring behavior in a sample of 127 mother-child pairs (n = 127). Mothers reported on perceived stress during pregnancy. Maternal sensitivity was rated by coders during a parent-child free play task when children were 4 years old. One year later, mothers reported on the home environment, child internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and children completed an assessment of inhibitory control. As hypothesized, the early childhood caregiving environment modified associations of prenatal stress with child behavior. Specifically, prenatal stress was associated with more internalizing behaviors at lower levels of maternal sensitivity and in home environments that were lower in emotional support and cognitive stimulation, but not at mean or higher levels. Furthermore, prenatal stress was associated with lower inhibitory control only at lower levels of maternal sensitivity, but not at higher levels. Maternal sensitivity and an emotionally supportive and cognitively stimulating home environment in early childhood may be important factors that mitigate risk for mental health problems among children exposed to prenatal stress.
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Paoletti J, Argueta DL, Wu-Chung EL, Chen MA, Brown RL, LeRoy AS, Murdock KW, Thayer JF, Fagundes CP. High Heart Rate Variability Buffers the Effect of Attachment Insecurity on Sleep Quality. Psychosom Med 2024; 86:349-358. [PMID: 38446714 PMCID: PMC11081832 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sleep quality is an important health-protective factor. Psychosocial factors, including attachment orientation, may be valuable for understanding who is at risk of poor sleep quality and associated adverse health outcomes. High attachment anxiety is reliably associated with adverse health outcomes, whereas high attachment avoidance is associated with adverse health outcomes when co-occurring with poor self-regulatory capacity, indexed by heart rate variability (HRV). We examined the associations between attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, HRV, and sleep quality. METHODS Using longitudinal data from a sample of 171 older adults measured four times over 1 year ( M = 66.18 years old; 67.83% women), we separated the between-person variance (which we call "trait") and within-person variance (which we call "state") for attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, and HRV (via the root mean square of successive differences). Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS Higher trait attachment anxiety was associated with poorer global sleep quality ( B = 0.22, p = .005). Higher state attachment avoidance was associated with poorer sleep quality ( B = -0.13, p = .01), except for those with higher trait HRV. Higher state attachment anxiety was associated with poorer sleep quality ( B = -0.15, p = .002), except for those with higher or mean trait HRV. Higher trait attachment anxiety was associated with poorer sleep quality ( B = -0.31, p = .02), except for those with higher trait HRV. CONCLUSIONS High trait HRV mitigated the adverse effects of attachment insecurity on sleep quality. Our results suggest that people with high trait HRV had greater self-regulation capacity, which may enable them to enact emotion regulation strategies effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ryan L. Brown
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Angie S. LeRoy
- Baylor University, Department of Psychology & Neuroscience
| | - Kyle W. Murdock
- Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health
| | - Julian F. Thayer
- University of California Irvine, Department of Psychological Sciences
| | - Christopher P. Fagundes
- Rice University, Department of Psychological Sciences
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Behavioral Science
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
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Domic-Siede M, Guzmán-González M, Sánchez-Corzo A, Álvarez X, Araya V, Espinoza C, Zenis K, Marín-Medina J. Emotion regulation unveiled through the categorical lens of attachment. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:240. [PMID: 38678214 PMCID: PMC11056069 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01748-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotion regulation, the process by which individuals manage and modify their emotional experiences, expressions, and responses to adaptively navigate and cope with various situations, plays a crucial role in daily life. Our study investigates the variations in emotion regulation strategies among individuals with different attachment styles (AS). Specifically, we examine how individuals with secure, anxious, avoidant, and fearful attachment styles effectively utilize cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression to regulate their emotions. METHODS A total of n = 98 adults were instructed to attend, reappraise, or suppress their emotions while viewing negative and neutral images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) in an experimental emotion regulation task. After completing the task, participants rated the valence and arousal elicited by the images. Attachment styles were measured using the ECR-12 questionnaire and then categorized into four AS. RESULTS Our study revealed that individuals with secure AS (n = 39) effectively reduced displeasure through cognitive reappraisal but experienced levels of displeasure with expressive suppression. Anxious AS (n = 16) individuals successfully reduced displeasure using cognitive reappraisal but struggled to regulate arousal and effectively use expressive suppression. Avoidant AS (n = 24) individuals could reduce displeasure with both strategies but experienced high arousal during suppression attempts. Fearful AS (n = 19) individuals effectively regulated both displeasure and arousal using either strategy. However, Secure AS individuals showed superior reappraisal efficacy, significantly reducing arousal levels compared to the Fearful AS group. Both Secure and Avoidant AS groups experienced higher valence during reappraisal relative to a baseline, indicating a decrease in displeasure. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with different AS exhibit variations in the effectiveness of their use of emotion regulation strategies. Our findings reinforce the significance of AS in shaping emotion regulation processes and emphasize the need for tailored approaches to support individuals with different attachment orientations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Domic-Siede
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Av. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile.
| | - Mónica Guzmán-González
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Av. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Andrea Sánchez-Corzo
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, USA
| | - Xaviera Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Av. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Vanessa Araya
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Av. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Camila Espinoza
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Av. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Karla Zenis
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Av. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Jennifer Marín-Medina
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Av. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
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Ferrajão P, Frias F, Elklit A. Exploring Independent and Cumulative Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on PTSD and CPTSD a Study in Ugandan Adolescents. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:517. [PMID: 38790512 PMCID: PMC11119836 DOI: 10.3390/children11050517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is related to higher morbidity and mortality among adolescents. The present study analyzed the independent and cumulative effects of ACE exposure on the likelihood of PTSD and a CPSTD diagnosis in Ugandan adolescents. A sample of 401 schoolchildren participated in the study. The primary aim was to collect information on ACEs, PTSD, CPTSD, and attachment styles among adolescents living in different countries. It was found that exposure to 2-3 ACEs and exposure to 4-5 ACEs were significantly associated with PTSD diagnosis, while exposure to sexual abuse, bullying, threats of violence, and near-drowning were significantly related to CPTSD diagnosis. Fearful attachment style was significantly associated with PTSD diagnosis. The results propose that biological, psychological, and social issues interact and contribute to the differential prevalence of ACE, attachment styles, and PTSD/CPTSD. This study underscores the importance of addressing childhood-averse and traumatic experiences as a public health priority in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Ferrajão
- Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Europeia, Quinta do Bom Nome, Estrada da Correia 53, 1500-210 Lisbon, Portugal;
- CIDESD—Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Francisco Frias
- Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Europeia, Quinta do Bom Nome, Estrada da Correia 53, 1500-210 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Ask Elklit
- National Center for Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark;
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Carvalho H, Nata G, Mena Matos P. How secure is the secure base? Romantic attachment, emotion regulation, and psychotherapists' role as secure base figures. RESEARCH IN PSYCHOTHERAPY (MILANO) 2024; 27:733. [PMID: 38695608 PMCID: PMC11116934 DOI: 10.4081/ripppo.2024.733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
In 1988, Bowlby posited that the emotional availability of psychotherapists in establishing a secure base environment is influenced by their personal relational history. Despite the acknowledged influence of the therapist's attachment on therapeutic processes and outcomes, the therapist's role as a secure base figure has received insufficient attention. This study delves into the connection between psychotherapists' attachment organization and their self-perceived roles as secure base figures within clinical contexts. Additionally, we explore the mediating role of emotion regulation processes in this context. The dataset comprises self-reports from 384 psychotherapists with diverse theoretical orientations. Our analysis reveals both direct and indirect effects of psychotherapists' attachment on the provision of a secure base. Emotion regulation, specifically through the dimension of clarity, emerges as a significant mediator in this relationship. This study offers a distinctive contribution to deepening our understanding of the relational dynamics inherent to psychotherapeutic practice. It sheds light on the nuanced relation between attachment and emotion regulation, influencing the psychotherapist's role as a secure base figure in psychotherapy. The discussion of the results additionally emphasizes key implications for clinical practice and therapists' training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Carvalho
- Center for Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto .
| | - Gil Nata
- University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real; Center for Research and Intervention in Education, University of Porto.
| | - Paula Mena Matos
- Center for Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto .
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Bautista A, Venta A. Attachment security and somatization: The mediating role of emotion dysregulation in a sample of Latinx young adults. J Affect Disord 2024; 351:165-171. [PMID: 38296054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somatization has been linked to the underdiagnosis of mental health disorders among individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, notably among Latinxs. While prior research has emphasized sociocultural factors, the exploration of potential inter- and intrapersonal mechanisms behind somatization remains limited. METHODS The current study examined the relation between attachment insecurity, emotion dysregulation, and somatization among Latinx young adults. Data were collected across seven separate Texas universities (N = 822). Most identified as female (76 %), were born in the United States (50.9 %) and were in their first or second year of university (60.6 %). RESULTS Hypothesis testing relied on two mediation models: maternal attachment security and paternal attachment security. The maternal attachment security model significantly predicted somatization, explaining 25 % of the variance. Notably, emotion dysregulation and maternal attachment security had main effects on somatization after accounting for country of origin, age, and gender. Results were similar for the paternal attachment security model. LIMITATIONS Limitations include skewed gender distribution, a non-clinical college student sample, cross-sectional design preventing causal inferences, and potential bias in self-report measures. CONCLUSIONS Attachment security and emotion dysregulation play an essential role in the experience of somatic symptoms among Latinx young adults. Our results suggest that health care providers take into account insecure attachment and emotion regulation history of Latinxs presenting with somatic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda Venta
- University of Houston, United States of America.
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14
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Fang F, Wang J. The relationship between attachment and depression among college students: the mediating role of perfectionism. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1352094. [PMID: 38686090 PMCID: PMC11057369 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1352094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Explore the relationship between adult attachment and depression among college students, and the mechanism of perfectionism. Study design Questionnaire survey. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted nationwide, totally 313 valid questionnaires were received. The survey collected information such as adult attachment (Adult Attachment Scale, AAS), depression (The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, CESD), and perfectionism (The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, FMPS). Then used SPSS26.0 to analyze the collected data. Results There were significant differences in perfectionism and depression between secure attachment and insecure attachment in college students. Perfectionism plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between the close-depend composite dimension, anxiety dimension of attachment and depression. Conclusion The closeness-dependence dimension of attachment significantly and negatively predicted perfectionism and depression; the anxiety dimension of attachment significantly and positively predicted perfectionism and depression; and perfectionism partially mediated the effect of both the closeness-dependence dimension of attachment on depression and the anxiety dimension of attachment on depression. Attachment can directly affect college students' depression, but also indirectly through perfectionism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Edinburgh College of Arts, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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15
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Kouri G, Meuwly N, Richter M, Schoebi D. Attachment insecurities, emotion dynamics and stress in intimate relationships during the transition to parenthood. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:200. [PMID: 38609973 PMCID: PMC11010316 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01686-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In intimate relationships, which are characterized by emotional interdependence, partners act as attachment figures which serve emotion regulation functions. The experience of emotions as well as the strategies that partners use to regulate them and to respond to relational experiences, especially during stressful periods, differ greatly according to their attachment orientation. An important aspect in emotion dynamics is emotional inertia, which reflects the degree to which a person's current affective state is resistant to change on a moment-to-moment basis. Inertia has been related to maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, like suppression and rumination, preferentially used by highly anxious and avoidant individuals. The aim of this study is to examine associations between attachment orientations and reports on the experience of positive and negative affect, and their dynamics in daily life across the transition to parenthood. METHODS Longitudinal data from a sample of 152 mixed-gender couples collected across the transition to parenthood was analyzed. We predicted that individuals with a more insecure attachment would report more negative and less positive affect, and that their emotional experience would be more resistant to change over time. We explored effects when participants reported feeling stressed. RESULTS The data suggested that attachment anxiety was associated with less positive and more negative affect and that attachment avoidance was associated with more positive affect. Anxious individuals showed lower emotional inertia and not higher as we expected. Reported stress for anxious and avoidant individuals was significantly associated with more negative but not less positive affect. CONCLUSIONS Results are discussed in the light of their impact on couples during stressful periods. Differences between anxiety and avoidance are found, emphasizing the importance of attachment insecurities on the experience of emotion. Furthermore, our findings on momentary fluctuating affect offer complementary insight into the emotional functioning of individuals with different attachment orientations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Kouri
- University of Fribourg, Department of Psychology, Rue de Faucigny 2, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Nathalie Meuwly
- University of Fribourg, Department of Psychology, Rue de Faucigny 2, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Richter
- University of Fribourg, Department of Psychology, Rue de Faucigny 2, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Schoebi
- University of Fribourg, Department of Psychology, Rue de Faucigny 2, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
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16
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Brandão T, Brites R, Hipólito J, Nunes O, Tomé Pires C. Emotion Regulation in Dementia Caregiving: The Role of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Attachment Orientation. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2024; 37:146-156. [PMID: 37539616 PMCID: PMC10802090 DOI: 10.1177/08919887231195228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Family caregivers are usually the main source of support for persons living with dementia, being exposed to a loved one's suffering, which can lead to experiencing strong and negative emotions. This study aimed to identify factors capable of explaining individual differences in the way caregivers regulate their emotions. This cross-sectional study included 78 informal caregivers (M = 64.84 years; SD = 13.32) and 84 controls (non-caregivers) (M = 77 years; SD = 7.59). Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), attachment orientations, and emotion regulation were measured using self-report scales. Caregivers of persons living with dementia used more expressive suppression in comparison to non-caregivers. NPS and attachment avoidance were associated with expressive suppression. Moderation analyses showed that NPS only predicted expressive suppression when attachment avoidance was low or medium. The present study showed that caregivers are more likely to suppress their emotions in the presence of NPS, especially those with lower/middle levels of attachment avoidance. Psychological interventions targeting emotion regulation should be offered especially to caregivers that face NPS of persons living with dementia and present lower/middle levels of attachment avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Brandão
- William James Center for Research, Ispa – Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rute Brites
- CIP-UAL, Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa Luís de Camões, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Hipólito
- CIP-UAL, Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa Luís de Camões, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Odete Nunes
- CIP-UAL, Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa Luís de Camões, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Tomé Pires
- CIP-UAL, Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa Luís de Camões, Lisboa, Portugal
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17
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Xie Y, Chin BN, Feeney BC. Mechanisms Linking Attachment Orientation to Sleep Quality in Married Couples. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2024; 50:331-350. [PMID: 36154519 DOI: 10.1177/01461672221123859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
There is emerging evidence for links between relationship factors and sleep quality. Existing research linking attachment orientation to sleep quality has yielded inconsistent effects, has focused on younger samples, and has not considered underlying mechanisms of action. This research addressed these gaps in two studies that investigated the links between attachment orientation and sleep quality in both younger/middle-aged (Study 1) and older (Study 2) adult couples using Actor-Partner Interdependence Models. We also tested mediating effects of relationship-specific security and negative affect. In both studies, participants completed surveys assessing their attachment orientation, sleep quality, and the proposed mediators. Both studies revealed that relationship-specific security and negative affect mediated the negative association between insecure attachment and one's own sleep quality. This research enhances our understanding of how attachment orientation affects sleep quality, provides a foundation for future research on relationship influences on sleep, and suggests avenues for improving sleep quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Xie
- Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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18
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Icekson T, Kaye-Tzadok A, Zeiger A. Job Burnout Among the Helping Professions: The Roles of Childhood Maltreatment, Attachment Styles and Perceived Supervisor Support. Clin Psychol Psychother 2024; 31:e2975. [PMID: 38650098 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Job burnout is a major predicament globally, especially among the helping professions. Based on the job demands-resources (JDR) theory and on attachment theory, this study explored the relations between a history of childhood maltreatment (CM), insecure attachment styles (avoidant and anxious), perceived supervisor support and job burnout. A sample of 320 helping professionals participated in the study, of which 35% reported experiencing CM. Findings confirmed the hypothesis that a history of CM was positively related to both avoidant and anxious attachment styles. Anxious attachment style partly mediated the relationship between CM and burnout. In addition, the relationship between CM and burnout was mediated by avoidant attachment style and perceived supervisor support, so that highly avoidant professionals perceived their supervisors as less supportive, reporting higher levels of burnout. Notably, there were no discernible variations in burnout levels when comparing professionals who had experienced maltreatment with those who had not. The study highlights the value of adopting an attachment perspective to better understand job burnout among the helping professions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Icekson
- Program in Organizational Development & Consulting, School of Behavioral Sciences, Peres Academic Center, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Management, School of Education, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Avital Kaye-Tzadok
- Social Work Department and the Lior Tsfaty Center for Suicide and Mental Pain Studies, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel
| | - Aya Zeiger
- Coller School of Management, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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19
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Deak A, Inhof O, Nagy L, Csokasi K. Affective super-traits and/or individual patterns: a variable-centered and a person-centered approach of primary emotional aspects of personality. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4787. [PMID: 38413802 PMCID: PMC10899169 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55371-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Theoretical approaches of personality structure are diverse. We examine the primary emotional aspects of personality as the correspondence of two mainstream constructs: the lexically-based Big Five (BIG5) and the biologically-based Affective Neuroscience Theory (ANT) within two approaches. In the variable-centered approach (VCA), our aim is to identify affective super-traits; while in the person-centered approach (PCA) to uncover latent profile patterns. 240 participants (177 women, 63 men) completed the 112-item affective neuroscience personality scales (ANPS), and the 44-item Big Five Inventory (BFI). We identified four super-traits: Negative emotions (FEAR, SADNESS, Emotional instability), Positive emotions and stimulation (SEEK, Extraversion), Affiliation and social bonds (reversed ANGER, CARE, Agreeableness), Self-regulation (PLAY, Conscientiousness. Based on the VCA, we conclude that the four super-traits represent two main affective tendencies (Positive emotions and approaching, Negative emotions and avoidance), interpersonal (Affiliation) and intrapersonal (Self-regulation) dynamics of personality. As a result of Latent Profile Analysis in the PCA, we explored three latent groups with different patterns of primary emotional traits based on their responsiveness (Highly emotional, Balanced, Low emotional). Our findings provide a holistic approach to emotional aspects of personality, and might have further implications for clinical psychology, neuroscience, and cross-cultural studies on emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Deak
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pecs, 6 Ifjusag Street, 7624, Pecs, Hungary.
| | - Orsolya Inhof
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pecs, 6 Ifjusag Street, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Laszlo Nagy
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pecs, 6 Ifjusag Street, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Csokasi
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pecs, 6 Ifjusag Street, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
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20
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Meneghini AM, Colledani D, Morandini S, De France K, Hollenstein T. Emotional Engagement and Caring Relationships: The Assessment of Emotion Regulation Repertoires of Nurses. Psychol Rep 2024; 127:212-234. [PMID: 35751169 DOI: 10.1177/00332941221110548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In spite of the importance of emotion regulation for nurses' well-being, little is known about which strategies nurses habitually use, how these strategies combine in order to regulate their emotional distress, and how these are related to their caregiving orientations. The current study aimed to explore the emotion regulation repertoires that characterize health-care providers and to investigate the association between these repertoires and caregiving orientations in a sample of nurses. Firstly, a confirmatory factor analyses was run to test the suitability of the Regulation of Emotion System Survey for the assessment of six emotion regulation strategies among health-care providers. Subsequently, the latent profiles analysis was employed to explore emotion regulation repertoires. Three repertoires emerged: The Average, the Suppression Propensity and the Engagement Propensity profiles. The participants of the last two groups relied on Expressive Suppression and Engagement, respectively, more often than others. Nurses were more likely to be placed within the Engagement Propensity group when compared to the first responders, and higher levels of hyperactivation of the Caregiving System were associated with this repertoire. A greater reliance on Expressive Engagement among nurses was discussed in terms of the fact that nurses usually have a longer and more care-oriented relationships with patients than first responders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daiana Colledani
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sofia Morandini
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Kalee De France
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tom Hollenstein
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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21
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Stevenson JC, Emerson LM, McKinnon K, Millings A. Facets of Mindfulness Mediate the Relationship Between Attachment Orientation and Emotion Regulation in University Students. Psychol Rep 2024; 127:92-111. [PMID: 35947822 DOI: 10.1177/00332941221119409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Whilst both mindfulness and adult attachment have been linked to wellbeing, little is known about how these constructs relate to emotion regulation that can underpin wellbeing. The present study examined the association between adult attachment orientation and emotion regulation (strategies and difficulties) and the mediating role of facets of dispositional mindfulness. A sample of 301 university students (Mage = 23.08, SD = 8.08; 74.75% female) completed measures of adult attachment, emotion regulation, difficulties in emotion regulation, and dispositional mindfulness. Parallel multiple mediation analyses indicated that the act with awareness and non-judging facets of mindfulness repeatedly emerged as significant mediators in the positive associations between the dimensions of attachment insecurity (anxiety, avoidance, and disorganized) and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and difficulties in emotion regulation. Those individuals exhibiting greater attachment insecurity employ maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and display difficulties in emotion regulation via mindfulness deficits. The present findings extend our current understanding of the role of dispositional mindfulness in the associations between adult attachment orientation and varying aspects of the emotion regulation process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa Marie Emerson
- School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Kathleen McKinnon
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Abigail Millings
- Centre for Behavioural Science and Applied Psychology, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK; Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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22
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Gu Y, Waters TEA, Zhu V, Jamieson B, Lim D, Schmitt G, Atkinson L. Attachment expectations moderate links between social support and maternal adjustment from 6 to 18 months postpartum. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38273665 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423001657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Significant links exist between one's perception of available social support and mental health outcomes, including during the transition to motherhood. Yet, attachment theory posits that individuals do not benefit equally from social support. As such, we examined the influence of attachment representations (i.e., secure base script knowledge) as they potentially moderate links between social support and psychological distress in a 1-year longitudinal study of an ethnically diverse (56% White) sample of infant-mother dyads. We hypothesized that higher social support would predict lower maternal psychological distress and this relation would be strongest in those with higher secure base script knowledge. Results indicated that maternal perceptions of social support were significantly negatively correlated with psychological distress. Analyses revealed that secure base script scores significantly moderated these associations. Interestingly, for those high in script knowledge, low social support predicted greater psychological distress. For those low in script knowledge, social support was unrelated to psychological distress. This pattern suggested that those who expect care (i.e., high secure base script knowledge) but receive minimal support (i.e., low perceived social support) find motherhood uniquely dysregulating. Practitioners may do well to examine individuals' attachment expectations in relation to their current social support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Gu
- Department of Psychology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Theodore E A Waters
- Department of Psychology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Victoria Zhu
- Department of Psychology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Brittany Jamieson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Danielle Lim
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gabrielle Schmitt
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Leslie Atkinson
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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23
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Chin BN, Kim L, Parsons SM, Feeney BC. Attachment Orientation and Preferences for Partners' Emotional Responses in Stressful and Positive Situations. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:77. [PMID: 38275360 PMCID: PMC10813030 DOI: 10.3390/bs14010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Attachment theory proposes that close relationships help us to regulate our emotions in stressful and positive situations. However, no previous studies have examined preferences for a partner's emotional response to one's own stressful and positive situations or tested whether these preferences differ based on attachment orientation. This study examines the association of attachment orientation and preferences for partners' emotional responses relative to one's own emotional responses in stressful and positive contexts among 425 United States adults who were currently in a committed relationship of ≥6 months. Data were collected in 2020. Overall, participants preferred their partners to feel and express less distress, less worry, more calm, and more hope than themselves during stressful situations and for their partners to feel and express more excitement, pride, and hope than themselves during positive situations. Higher attachment anxiety predicted preferences for partners to feel and express more distress/worry in stressful situations, whereas higher attachment avoidance predicted preferences for partners to feel and express less hope in stressful situations. Statistical interactions of attachment anxiety × attachment avoidance indicated that the combination of low attachment anxiety and high attachment avoidance (dismissing avoidance) was associated with preferences for partners to feel and express less positive emotions in positive situations, whereas the combination of high attachment anxiety and high attachment avoidance (fearful avoidance) was associated with preferences for partners to feel and express more negative emotions in stressful situations and less positive emotions in positive situations. This investigation provides novel evidence for links between attachment orientation and preferences for partners' emotional responses in two theoretically important contexts, which has implications for the nature and function of emotion regulation in close relationships. Future research is needed to determine the generalizability of these findings to more collectivist cultural contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian N. Chin
- Department of Psychology, Trinity College, Hartford, CT 06106, USA
| | - Lauryn Kim
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA (B.C.F.)
| | - Shelby M. Parsons
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA (B.C.F.)
| | - Brooke C. Feeney
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA (B.C.F.)
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24
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Liang Y. Attachment Anxiety and Nomophobia: A Moderated Parallel Mediation Model. Psychol Rep 2024:332941241226907. [PMID: 38193445 DOI: 10.1177/00332941241226907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Nomophobia is the state of being anxious or disturbed when feeling disconnected from the digital world and can have a significant impact on individuals' health and well-being. Drawing upon attachment theory and the previous literature on nomophobia, this study aims to understand how attachment anxiety influences nomophobia and whether this relationship differs between males and females. In the Human Penguin Project (HPP) (N = 1221; 12 countries; participants aged ≥20 years), the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire-Revised (ECR-R), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) were used to assess attachment anxiety, alexithymia, perceived stress, and nomophobia, respectively. The results demonstrated that (1) there were significant positive correlations between attachment anxiety, nomophobia, alexithymia, and perceived stress. Additionally, (2) there was a direct and significant effect of attachment anxiety on nomophobia, and alexithymia and perceived stress partially mediated this relationship. Finally, (3) gender significantly moderated the relationship between attachment anxiety and nomophobia. Specifically, the predicted effect was significant in both males and females, but the direct effect of attachment anxiety and nomophobia was stronger in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liang
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin, China
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25
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Kanemasa Y, Miyagawa Y, Arai T. Attachment anxiety and the dark triad increase stalking after breakups of romantic relationships through psychological maltreatment of romantic partners and reactions to breakups. Aggress Behav 2024; 50:e22133. [PMID: 38268384 DOI: 10.1002/ab.22133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
This study examined whether two personality traits, attachment anxiety, and the Dark Triad, longitudinally promote stalking behaviors after romantic breakups through psychological maltreatment of partners during relationships and maladjusted reactions to breakups. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study across four waves of assessment for 1 year of individuals in romantic relationships in Japan. They completed measures of attachment anxiety, the Dark Triad, need for control, and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration at Wave 1, and measures of maladjusted reactions to breakups (i.e., anger and rumination) and stalking behaviors at a wave after breakups. The final sample consisted of 356 participants who were involved in romantic relationships at Wave 1 and left by their partners during the survey period. Correlational analysis showed that the Dark Triad at Wave 1 was significantly positively associated with future stalking behaviors, but attachment anxiety was not. Structural equation modeling showed that attachment anxiety and the Dark Triad increased future stalking behaviors after breakups through psychological IPV perpetration during relationships. Additionally, attachment anxiety increased future stalking behaviors through higher levels of postbreakup anger and rumination. Conversely, we did not find any indirect effects of the Dark Triad on stalking behaviors through these reactions toward breakups. Overall, these results suggest that it is necessary to consider personality traits that could damage intimate relationships and to focus on the quality of romantic relationships to prevent stalking after romantic breakups. These results also indicate that emotion regulation may be useful in preventing stalking caused by attachment anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Kanemasa
- Faculty of Psychology, Otemon Gakuin University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yuki Miyagawa
- Faculty of Psychology, Otemon Gakuin University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takashi Arai
- Graduate School of Arts and Letters, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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Mercante B, Uccula A, Secchi E, Puggioni G, Loi N, Enrico P, Deriu F. Hand-blink reflex modulation: The role of primary emotions and attachment dimensions. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14432. [PMID: 37670673 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The hand-blink reflex (HBR) is a subcortical response elicited by the electrical stimulation of the median nerve. HBR magnitude is enhanced when the stimulated hand is close to the face and is modulated by high-level structures according to the perceived threat magnitude. Psychological factors may contribute to threat evaluation and possibly to HBR amplitude modulation. In this study, we assessed distinctively emotional and relational aspects of personality and evaluated their associations with the HBR response, or lack thereof, in healthy subjects. Seventy-one volunteers filled the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y questionnaires and underwent HBR recording. We found that the HBR could be evoked only in 50.7% of all subjects (responders). Non-responders subjects showed higher scores in the avoidance dimension (p = .005), and lower scores in the care dimension (p = .008), compared with responders. In responders, regression analysis showed a negative association of HBR amplitude (difference in near vs. far responses) with anger dimension and a positive association with state anxiety (R2 = 0.239). A positive association also emerged with HBR latency and fear dimension (R2 = 0.419). We conclude that primary emotional and relational factors may play an important role in the modulation of brainstem circuits mediating the HBR response. Our results may also contribute to the question about the absence of the HBR in about half of the subjects since high-level cognitive processes seem to play an important role in the differentiation between responder and non-responder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beniamina Mercante
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Arcangelo Uccula
- Department of History, Human Sciences and Education, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Secchi
- Department of History, Human Sciences and Education, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Graziella Puggioni
- Department of History, Human Sciences and Education, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Nicola Loi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Paolo Enrico
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Franca Deriu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Nutritional and Metabolic Disorders, AOU Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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27
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Knox L, Karantzas G, Ferguson E. The Role of Attachment, Insecurity, and Stress in Partner Maltreatment: A Meta-Analysis. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:721-737. [PMID: 37036150 PMCID: PMC10666483 DOI: 10.1177/15248380231161012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Negative, destructive, and abusive behaviors in romantic relationships can vary from explicit kinds of abuse and aggression to more subtle and seemingly innocuous slights against or ways of treating a partner. However, regardless of the severity or explicit nature, these behaviors all, to one extent or another, reflect acts of invalidation, disrespect, aggression, or neglect toward a partner, and could be considered maltreatment of a partner. The current paper proposes the term partner maltreatment as a broad overarching concept, which was used to facilitate a meta-analytic synthesis of the literature to examine the associations between attachment insecurity (i.e., attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance) and perpetration of partner maltreatment. Additionally, this paper situated partner maltreatment within an attachment-based diathesis-stress perspective to explore the moderating role of stress. Five databases were systematically searched for published and unpublished studies that examined the direct association between perpetrator's adult attachment orientation and perpetration of partner maltreatment behaviors. We synthesized effect sizes from 139 studies (N = 38,472) and found the effect between attachment insecurity and acts of partner maltreatment varied between r = .11 to .21. Our findings provide meta-analytic evidence to suggest that attachment insecurity is a significant individual vulnerability factor (diathesis) associated with partner maltreatment; and that when individuals with an insecure attachment orientation experience stress, the tendency to perpetrate partner maltreatment is typically heightened. The findings of this meta-analysis provide empirical evidence for the importance of considering and addressing contextual factors, especially stress, for those individuals and couples seeking therapy for partner maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Knox
- Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
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28
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Qiao Z, Lafit G, Lecei A, Achterhof R, Kirtley OJ, Hiekkaranta AP, Hagemann N, Hermans KSFM, Boets B, Reininghaus U, Myin-Germeys I, van Winkel R. Childhood Adversity and Emerging Psychotic Experiences: A Network Perspective. Schizophr Bull 2024; 50:47-58. [PMID: 37318106 PMCID: PMC10754171 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Childhood adversity is associated with a myriad of psychiatric symptoms, including psychotic experiences (PEs), and with multiple psychological processes that may all mediate these associations. STUDY DESIGN Using a network approach, the present study examined the complex interactions between childhood adversity, PEs, other psychiatric symptoms, and multiple psychological mediators (ie, activity-related and social stress, negative affect, loneliness, threat anticipation, maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation, attachment insecurity) in a general population, adolescent sample (n = 865, age 12-20, 67% female). STUDY RESULTS Centrality analyses revealed a pivotal role of depression, anxiety, negative affect, and loneliness within the network and a bridging role of threat anticipation between childhood adversity and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation. By constructing shortest path networks, we found multiple existing paths between different categories of childhood adversity and PEs, with symptoms of general psychopathology (ie, anxiety, hostility, and somatization) as the main connective component. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness and stability of the networks. Longitudinal analysis in a subsample with Wave 2 data (n = 161) further found that variables with higher centrality (ie, depression, negative affect, and loneliness) better predicted follow-up PEs. CONCLUSIONS Pathways linking childhood adversity to PEs are complex, with multifaceted psychological and symptom-symptom interactions. They underscore the transdiagnostic, heterotypic nature of mental ill-health in young people experiencing PEs, in agreement with current clinical recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiling Qiao
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Clinical Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ginette Lafit
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Psychology, Group on Quantitative Psychology and Individual Differences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aleksandra Lecei
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Clinical Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robin Achterhof
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Olivia J Kirtley
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anu P Hiekkaranta
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Noëmi Hagemann
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karlijn S F M Hermans
- Strategy and Academic Affairs, Administration and Central Services, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Boets
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ulrich Reininghaus
- Department of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health and Social Epidemiology Research Group, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Inez Myin-Germeys
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ruud van Winkel
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Clinical Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- University Psychiatric Center (UPC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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29
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Messina I, Calvo V, Grecucci A. Attachment orientations and emotion regulation: new insights from the study of interpersonal emotion regulation strategies. RESEARCH IN PSYCHOTHERAPY (MILANO) 2023; 26:703. [PMID: 38224213 PMCID: PMC10849076 DOI: 10.4081/ripppo.2023.703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
A crucial point for the understanding of the link between attachment and emotion regulation concerns the individual tendency in turning to others to alleviate distress. Most previous studies in this field have considered almost exclusively intra-personal forms of emotion regulation, neglecting the role of social interaction in emotion regulation processes. In the present study, instead, we focused on interpersonal emotion regulation. 630 adults were assessed for their attachment orientations, general difficulties in emotion regulation, and habitual intra-personal and interpersonal emotion regulation strategies. Results showed that the imbalance between the hyper-activation and deactivation of the attachment system, which characterize unsecure attachment, reflects a correspondent imbalance in the use of emotion regulation strategies, with an exaggerated dependence on other associated with attachment anxiety and pseudo-autonomy associated to attachment avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Messina
- Faculty of Social and Communication Sciences, Mercatorum University.
| | - Vincenzo Calvo
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padua.
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Ali M, Veneziani G, Aquilanti I, Wamser-Nanney R, Lai C. Overcoming the civil wars: the role of attachment styles between the impact of war and psychological symptoms and post-traumatic growth among Libyan citizens. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2287952. [PMID: 38088170 PMCID: PMC10993805 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2287952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Civil wars in Libya have impacted the mental health of the general population. The ways in which individuals cope with traumatic events are influenced by several psychological variables.Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate how post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are associated with psychological symptoms and post-traumatic growth (PTG), and to evaluate the role of avoidant and anxious attachment dimensions as mediators in these associations, among Libyan citizens.Method: Three-hundred participants (147 females; age 31.0 ± 8.4 years) completed the Impact of Event Scale - Revised, Experiences in Close Relationships, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory - Short Form.Results: The structural equation model revealed that insecure attachment dimensions mediated the association between PTSS and psychological symptoms and PTG. PTSS were positively associated with psychological symptoms, PTG, and both insecure attachment dimensions. Insecure attachment dimensions were positively associated with psychological symptoms and negatively with PTG.Conclusion: The present findings contribute to growing empirical research on the roles of insecure attachment dimensions in the association between the impact of war, psychological symptoms, and PTG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ali
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Veneziani
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Aquilanti
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Lai
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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31
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Talty A, Speyer LG, Eisner MP, Ribeaud D, Murray AL, Obsuth I. The role of student-teacher relationships in the association between negative parenting practices and emotion dynamics - Combining longitudinal and ecological momentary assessment data. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2023; 33:1268-1280. [PMID: 37395433 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Emotion dysregulation is increasingly implicated as a transdiagnostic risk factor in the etiology of mental health problems. This project aimed to explore the links between emotion regulation, negative parenting and student-teacher relationships using longitudinal and ecologically valid data. A sample of n = 209 young people enrolled in the 'Decades-to-Minutes' (D2M) study, based in Zurich, Switzerland, provided data from the ages of 7-20 via parent- and self-report questionnaires and ecological momentary assessment. Data were analyzed using Dynamic Structural Equation Modeling (DSEM). Worse student-teacher relationships predicted increased negative affectivity and emotional lability. Negative parenting practices predicted emotional lability only via their impact on student-teacher relationships. The findings point to worse student-teacher relationships as risk factors in the socioemotional development of children and young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Talty
- Clinical & Health Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lydia G Speyer
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Manuel P Eisner
- Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Denis Ribeaud
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Aja L Murray
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ingrid Obsuth
- Clinical & Health Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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32
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Buhagar DC. The Attachment Mapping Protocol (AMP): An Assessment and Treatment Tool for General Psychotherapy, Systemic Family Therapy and Multifaith Spiritual Care. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2023; 62:4112-4157. [PMID: 37775615 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01881-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
This paper introduces the Attachment Mapping Protocol (AMP), which is an assessment and treatment tool for use in individual psychotherapy, systemic family therapy and multifaith spiritual care, using a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of care. Attachment theory has a long and significant history in psychology, with an evolving relationship within the above clinical domains. A central aim of this paper will be to recognize and affirm the extension of attachment theory beyond the traditional parameters of nascent parental, guardianship bonds and individual, developmental psychology, to reveal a much broader spectrum of valid attachment considerations for mental health and spiritual well-being. A case study will be applied to the interviewing instrument to demonstrate its utility for broadening assessment beyond attachment figures to include surrogate attachments of other persons, places and things. A model of spiritual discernment derived from the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola will undergird this larger worldview of attachment considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desmond C Buhagar
- Department of Practical Theology, Regis College, The Jesuit School of Theology in Canada, Affiliated with the University of Toronto, 100 Wellesley St. West, Toronto, ON, M5W 2Z5, Canada.
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33
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Jaltare KP, Vanderijst L, Karos K, Torta DM. The impact of the social context on the development of secondary hyperalgesia: an experimental study. Pain 2023; 164:2711-2724. [PMID: 37433188 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Social support has been shown to reduce pain ratings and physiological responses to acute pain stimuli. Furthermore, this relationship is moderated by adult attachment styles. However, these effects have not been characterized in experimentally induced symptoms of chronic pain, such as secondary hyperalgesia (SH) which is characterized by an increased sensitivity of the skin surrounding an injury. We aimed to examine whether social support by handholding from a romantic partner can attenuate the development of experimentally induced SH. Thirty-seven women, along with their partners, participated in 2 experimental sessions 1 week apart. In both sessions, SH was induced using an electrical stimulation protocol. In the support condition, the partner was seated across from the participant holding the participant's hand during the electrical stimulation, whereas in the alone condition, the participant went through the stimulation alone. Heart rate variability was measured for both the participant as well as the partner before, during, and after the stimulation. We found that the width of the area of hyperalgesia was significantly smaller in the support condition. Attachment styles did not moderate this effect of social support on the area width. Increasing attachment avoidance was associated with both a smaller width of hyperalgesia and a smaller increase in the sensitivity on the stimulated arm. For the first time, we show that social support can attenuate the development of secondary hyperalgesia and that attachment avoidance may be associated with an attenuated development of secondary hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketan Prafull Jaltare
- Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laetitia Vanderijst
- Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kai Karos
- Section Experimental Health Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maaastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, the Netherlands
| | - Diana M Torta
- Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
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34
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Zhao X, Cheng F, Gao Y, Wang Q, Zhao Y, Li P. Association between adult attachment style, communication patterns and caregiver burden in parents of children with solid tumors: A cross-sectional study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2023; 67:102437. [PMID: 37879195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The primary purpose of this cross-sectional study was to delve into the connections among adult attachment styles, communication patterns, and caregiver burden within the sample of parents caring for children diagnosed with solid tumors. METHODS A sample of 456 parents responsible for the care of children with solid tumors was conveniently recruited from a pediatric oncology ward at a tertiary hospital from September 2021 to September 2022. The data collection process included a questionnaire on general information, the Caregiver Burden Inventory, the Adult Attachment Questionnaire Short Form, and the Communication Pattern Questionnaire. RESULTS The findings demonstrated a strong and positive connection between caregiver burden and attachment avoidance, whereas no considerable association was observed for attachment anxiety. Attachment avoidance exhibited a positive link with communication patterns and caregiver burden, and a noteworthy inverse correlation with attachment anxiety. Additionally, communication patterns were uncovered as a mediator in the association between attachment avoidance and caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the role of communication patterns as mediators between attachment avoidance and caregiver burden among parents of children with solid tumors. These outcomes emphasize the significance of considering attachment styles and communication patterns when comprehending caregiver burden, and can guide the development of targeted interventions to provide support for parents within this challenging context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Zhao
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Fangfang Cheng
- Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 440 Jiyan Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, PR China
| | - Yiming Gao
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Qing Wang
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Yiwen Zhao
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China
| | - Ping Li
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, PR China.
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35
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Xie S, Liu J, Hu Y, Liu W, Ma C, Jin S, Zhang L, Kang Y, Ding Y, Zhang X, Hu Z, Cheng W, Yang Z. A normative model of brain responses to social scenarios reflects the maturity of children and adolescents' social-emotional abilities. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2023; 18:nsad062. [PMID: 37930841 PMCID: PMC10649363 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsad062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid brain maturation in childhood and adolescence accompanies the development of socio-emotional functioning. However, it is unclear how the maturation of the neural activity drives the development of socio-emotional functioning and individual differences. This study aimed to reflect the age dependence of inter-individual differences in brain responses to socio-emotional scenarios and to develop naturalistic imaging indicators to assess the maturity of socio-emotional ability at the individual level. Using three independent naturalistic imaging datasets containing healthy participants (n = 111, 21 and 122), we found and validated that age-modulated inter-individual concordance of brain responses to socio-emotional movies in specific brain regions. The similarity of an individual's brain response to the average response of older participants was defined as response typicality, which predicted an individual's emotion regulation strategies in adolescence and theory of mind (ToM) in childhood. Its predictive power was not superseded by age, sex, cognitive performance or executive function. We further showed that the movie's valence and arousal ratings grounded the response typicality. The findings highlight that forming typical brain response patterns may be a neural phenotype underlying the maturation of socio-emotional ability. The proposed response typicality represents a neuroimaging approach to measure individuals' maturity of cognitive reappraisal and ToM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqi Xie
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yang Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Changminghao Ma
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Shuyu Jin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yinzhi Kang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yue Ding
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xiaochen Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhishan Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wenhong Cheng
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
- Institute of Psychological and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100035, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100054, China
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36
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Sahin NH, Tasso AF, Guler M. Attachment and emotional regulation: examining the role of prefrontal cortex functions, executive functions, and mindfulness in their relationship. Cogn Process 2023; 24:619-631. [PMID: 37368059 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-023-01144-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Attachment is a prominent area of psychological research, with its relevance linked to executive functions, mindfulness, and emotional regulation. The purpose of this study is to examine this relationship among these aforementioned four constructs and propose a model to be tested in the future. Based on the current trends using the Interpersonal Neurobiology approach, which assumes prefrontal cortex functions to include other socioemotional resources such as empathy, morality, insight, behavior, and body regulation. Our study included prefrontal cortical functions alongside executive functions. The assessment instruments used were Attachment-Based Cognitive Representations Scale, Prefrontal Cortex Functions Scale, Webexec, Five Facet Mindfulness Scale, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. We hypothesized that attachment would be the strongest predictor of emotional regulation. The participants in the study were 539 college students (mean = 20.21; sd = 1.57); (68% female and 32%, male). Our a priori research hypothesis was supported, with an additional finding that trait mindfulness was also a significant predictor. The strongest correlations with attachment styles were with trait mindfulness and emotional regulation. We conducted path analyses of two different models for secure and insecure attachment. The path analyses showed that secure attachment scores were negatively related, and insecure attachment scores were positively related to difficulties in emotional regulation scores. Furthermore, trait mindfulness and prefrontal cortex functions also mediated this relationship. However, there was no significant relationship between executive functions and difficulties in emotional regulation scores, even though it was significantly related to attachment. Results and implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesrin Hisli Sahin
- School of Psychology and Counseling, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, USA.
| | - Anthony F Tasso
- School of Psychology and Counseling, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, USA
| | - Murat Guler
- Department of Business Administration, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey
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37
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Zhang M, Wang J, Li Q, Li S, Bao X, Chen X. Temporal characteristics of emotional conflict processing: the modulation role of attachment styles. Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 193:112243. [PMID: 37689370 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.112243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Theoretical account of attachment proposed that individual differences in adult attachment styles play a key role in adjusting balance between affective evaluation and cognitive control. Yet, little is known about the temporal characteristics of emotional conflict processing modulated by attachment styles. Accordingly, the present study used event-related potentials (ERP) and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) combined with an emotional face-word Stroop task to investigate the temporal dynamics of attachment-related cognitive-affective patterns in emotional conflict processing. The ERP results demonstrated multiple-process of emotional conflict modulated by attachment styles. In early sensory processing, positive faces captured avoidant attachment individuals' attention as reflected in greater P1, while the same situation led to greater N170 in secure and anxious individuals. Crucially, impairment in conflict-monitoring function was found in anxious individuals as reflected by the absence of interference effect on N450, leading to impaired ability of inhibitory control as indicated by decreased slow potential. In contrast, avoidant individuals showed greater slow potential for inhibiting emotional interference. Furthermore, MVPA revealed that the corresponding time window for conflict monitoring was found for emotional distractors decoding rather than congruency decoding in the anxious attachment group. Convergent results from ERPs and MVPA indicated that the deficits in emotional conflict monitoring and resolution among anxious individuals might be due to the excessive approach to emotional distractors, as they habitually use emotional evaluation rather than cognitive control. In summary, the present study provides electrophysiological evidence that attachment styles modulated emotional conflict processing, which highlights the contribution of attachment to social information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China
| | - Qing Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Song Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiuqin Bao
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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Peng X, Gillath O, Jiang M, Wang B, Zhang J, Wu L. Attachment style and attention bias to emotional information: The moderating effect of stress, stimulus characteristics, and attention stage. J Pers 2023. [PMID: 37870284 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined whether insecurely attached individuals exhibit an attention bias to emotional information, and further tested the potential moderating role of stress, information valence, information attachment relevance, and attention stage. BACKGROUND Attachment style can predict people's attention to emotional information. However, the empirical findings are inconsistent, making it difficult to determine the associations between attachment style and attention bias to emotional information. METHOD We included 68 studies (N = 5417) across 46 published and unpublished articles (the initial pool was 627 articles) in the meta-analysis. RESULTS People high on attachment avoidance exhibited decreased attention toward emotional stimuli (d = -0.129, p = 0.020), which was not affected by stress, information valence, information attachment relevance, or attention stage. Conversely, people high on attachment anxiety exhibited increased attention toward emotional stimuli, especially under stress, if the information was attachment-related, and during late-stage attentional processing. They exhibited an early bias away from and a late bias toward emotional information, which was intensified under stress. CONCLUSION Our findings support the proposition that people high on attachment avoidance use deactivating strategies in attentional processing; whereas people high on attachment anxiety use hyperactivating strategies, especially when resources are limited (under stress). When resources are available, and it is relatively early in the process, people high on attachment anxiety respond similarly to those high on attachment avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Omri Gillath
- Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Mengjie Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Beiyi Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxin Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Castro T, Pinto TM, Morais A, Costa R, Jongenelen I, Lamela D. The effect of parenting behaviours on adolescents' rumination: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023:10.1007/s00787-023-02309-2. [PMID: 37814080 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02309-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Rumination is an emotional regulation mechanism strongly associated with the development and maintenance of internalising psychopathology in adolescence and adulthood. Parenting behaviours (PBs) play a pivotal role in the development of rumination in children and adolescents. Nonetheless, the specific PBs that can either protect against or increase the risk of rumination development remain poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to explore the (1) temporal associations between PBs and adolescents' rumination and (2) potential moderators influencing these associations. We conducted a comprehensive search across Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Academic Search Complete and Eric databases, adhering to PRISMA reporting guidelines. Out of 1,868 abstracts screened, 182 articles underwent full-text examination, with nine meeting the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Overall, the studies indicated that PBs characterised by criticism, rejection and control were positively associated with the development of rumination in adolescents, whilst PBs marked by authoritative practises exhibited a negative association with rumination. Gender, temperament, environmental sensitivity and pubertal timing emerged as significant moderators in the effects of PBs on rumination. However, conclusions were limited due to the studies' methodological heterogeneity. Future studies on PBs and rumination should address various dimensions of PBs and different moderators to identify factors that can modify the development of rumination across adolescence. Findings may inform family-based prevention programmes to promote emotion regulation in adolescents as a protective factor against internalising psychopathology across adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ana Morais
- HEI-Lab, Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Costa
- HEI-Lab, Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
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Wu P, Wang S, Zhao X, Fang J, Tao F, Su P, Wan Y, Sun Y. Immediate and longer-term changes in mental health of children with parent-child separation experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2023; 17:113. [PMID: 37794411 PMCID: PMC10552287 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-023-00659-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been understudied among vulnerable populations. This study aimed to examine the immediate and longer-term changes in the mental health of children with parent-child separation experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify potential buffering opportunities for mental health. METHODS This longitudinal cohort study used data from 723 rural Chinese children who provided data before (Oct. 2019) the COVID-19 pandemic and during the following 2 years. Changes in the probability of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, non-suicide self-injurious (NSSI), suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt were tested across four waves using generalized estimating models (GEE). RESULTS Compared with children who never experienced parent-child separation, children persistently separated from parents since birth experienced greater deterioration in all mental health in the 2-year follow-up (average change: depressive symptoms: β = 0.59, 95% CI [0.26, 0.93]; anxiety symptoms: β = 0.45, 95% CI [0.10, 0.81]; NSSI: β = 0.66, 95% CI [0.31, 1.01]; suicide ideation: β = 0.67, 95% CI [0.38, 0.96]; suicide plan: β = 0.77, 95% CI [0.38, 1.15]; suicide attempt: β = 1.12, 95% CI [0.63, 1.62]). However, children with childhood separation from their parents but reunited with them during the transition to adolescence showed similar even lower changes to counterparts who never experienced parent-child separation (all ps > 0.05). CONCLUSION These results indicating improvements in supportiveness of the caregiving environment during the transition to adolescence may provide the opportunity to buffer the adverse impact of COVID-19 on mental health. Translating such knowledge to inform intervention and prevention strategies for youths exposed to adversity is a critical goal for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Wu
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Box 230032, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Shihong Wang
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Box 230032, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Box 230032, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jiao Fang
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Box 230032, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Box 230032, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health & Aristogenics, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Puyu Su
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Box 230032, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health & Aristogenics, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yuhui Wan
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Box 230032, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health & Aristogenics, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Box 230032, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health & Aristogenics, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
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Park Y, Sanscartier S, Impett EA, Algoe SB, Leonhardt ND, Schrage K, Carmichael C, Collins N, Conte F, De Rosa O, Ficca G, Fredrickson BL, Harris P, Keltner D, West TN, MacDonald G. Meta-analytic evidence that attachment insecurity is associated with less frequent experiences of discrete positive emotions. J Pers 2023; 91:1223-1238. [PMID: 36401808 PMCID: PMC10195919 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Individual differences in attachment insecurity can have important implications for experiences of positive emotions. However, existing research on the link between attachment insecurity and positive emotional experiences has typically used a composite measure of positive emotions, overlooking the potential importance of differentiating discrete emotions. METHOD We conducted a meta-analysis of 10 cross-sectional samples (N = 3215), examining how attachment insecurity is associated with self-reported frequency of experiencing positive emotions, with a distinction made between more social (i.e., love and gratitude) and less social (i.e., peace and awe or curiosity) positive emotions. RESULTS High (vs. low) levels of both attachment anxiety and avoidance were associated with less frequent experience of positive emotions regardless of their social relevance. When analyzing each emotion separately, we found that attachment anxiety showed negative relations to all emotions except gratitude. Attachment avoidance was negatively associated with all emotions, and the link was even stronger with love (vs. peace, awe, or curiosity). Additional analyses of daily diary data revealed that attachment anxiety and avoidance were also negatively associated with daily experiences of positive emotions, regardless of social relevance. CONCLUSION Our results underscore the need to further investigate the mechanisms underlying insecure individuals' blunted positive emotional experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoobin Park
- University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Sara B. Algoe
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Cheryl Carmichael
- Brooklyn College & Graduate Center, City University of New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Paige Harris
- University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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Allahvirdie Rezaieh S, Ghorbani N, Farahani H. Mediating role of splitting in relation to attachment styles and shopping addiction. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1249591. [PMID: 37854143 PMCID: PMC10581345 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1249591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Shopping can provide a sense of satisfaction and pleasure; however, if a person's excessive involvement in this behavior starts to negatively impact other aspects of their life, similar to other addictive behaviors like excessive internet use, gaming, and gambling, it may be classified as pathological. Given the lack of agreement regarding the classification of excessive shopping tendencies as a separate mental health condition or addictive behavior, taking a socio-emotional approach to explore the psychological factors that precede this behavior, may offer a better comprehension of it. Methods The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between attachment styles and excessive shopping behavior, as well as to investigate the potential mediating effect of defense mechanisms like splitting on this relationship. Using convenience sampling, a group of 457 stock market employees (116 female, 341 male) between the ages of 24 and 60 were recruited. The researchers utilized a set of validated psychological questionnaires to assess the employees attachment styles, shopping addiction, and splitting tendencies. Results The results obtained from both the mediation model and path analysis suggest that attachment styles do not have a direct relationship with shopping addiction. Nonetheless, the study supports the impact of insecure anxious and avoidan attachment styles on splitting. Furthermore, the findings confirm that splitting has a mediating effect on the relationship between attachment styles and splitting. Discussion The present study enhanced our comprehension of the subconscious mechanisms underlying shopping tendencies. Specifically, the findings suggest that excessive tendencies towards shopping can be considered a maladaptive response resulting from insecure attachment styles and the unconscious utilization of the splitting defense mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nima Ghorbani
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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Ihme H, Courtet P, Risch N, Dubois J, Belzeaux R, Olié E. Mediation effect of anxious attachment on relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation sensitive to psychological pain levels. Eur Psychiatry 2023; 66:e79. [PMID: 37737057 PMCID: PMC10594339 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood trauma (CT), depression, and psychological pain are known predictors of suicidal ideation. Recent literature additionally highlights the importance of the attachment system. METHODS We aimed to predict suicidal ideation through CT, attachment, and psychological and social pain by using mediation models aiming to predict suicidal ideation through CT (predictor) and attachment (mediator). In the same models, we introduced psychological or social pain as a moderator of the relationship between attachment, CT, and suicidal ideation. We included 161 depressed patients and assessed depression, attachment, CT, suicidal ideation, psychological pain, and social pain. RESULTS We found (1) a complete mediating effect of anxious attachment (a2b2 = 0.0035, CI95% = [0.0010; 0.0069]) on the relationship between CT on suicidal ideation, and (2) a significant complete conditional mediating effect of anxious attachment and psychological pain (index of moderated mediation VAS: 0.0014; CI95% = [0.0002; 0.0032]) but not social pain on the relationship between CT and suicidal ideation. Both models were controlled for history of suicidal attempt, depression severity, and sex. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest a developmental profile of suicidal ideation in mood disorder that is characterized by the presence of CT and insecure attachment, especially anxious attachment, that is sensitive to experiences of psychological pain. Nevertheless, we cannot conclude that avoidantly attached individuals do not present the same mechanism, as they may not disclose those ideas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Ihme
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, UMR 7289, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Courtet
- IGF,Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Nathan Risch
- IGF,Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Jonathan Dubois
- IGF,Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Raoul Belzeaux
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, UMR 7289, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Marseille, France
- Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Emilie Olié
- IGF,Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Pilkington PD, Karantzas GC, Faustino B, Pizarro-Campagna E. Early maladaptive schemas, emotion regulation difficulties and alexithymia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Psychother 2023. [PMID: 37735142 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotion regulation is an integral part of the schema therapy model. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the evidence on the associations between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), difficulties with emotion regulation and alexithymia. METHOD PsycINFO, PubMed and CINAHL Complete databases were searched on 28 May 2022 and 3 February 2023 in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Included studies were in English, in peer-reviewed journals and reported on the association between one or more of the 18 EMSs or five schema domains and emotion regulation difficulties or alexithymia. Methodological quality was assessed using the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. Meta-analyses were conducted to examine difficulties with emotion regulation and alexithymia as correlates of each EMS and domain. RESULTS A total of 19 studies published between 2008 and 2022 were included (Pooled N = 5957). Difficulties with emotion regulation were positively correlated with all 18 EMSs (range: entitlement r(7) = .28, 95% CI [.13, .42] to negativity pessimism r(5) = .53, 95% CI [.23, .74]) and schema domains (range: impaired limits r(5) = .34, 95% CI [.08, .56] to disconnection rejection r(5) = .44, 95% CI [.33, .73]). Alexithymia was positively correlated with the other-directedness domain (r(2) = .40, 95% CI [.09, .64]) and 16 of the 18 EMSs (range: unrelenting standards r(5) = .21, 95% CI [.12, .28] to emotional inhibition r(5) = .50, 95% CI [.34, .63]). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggested that almost all 18 EMSs are implicated in emotion regulation difficulties and alexithymia, particularly those relating to unmet needs for attachment and autonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela D Pilkington
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gery C Karantzas
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bruno Faustino
- HEI-Lab, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Asgarizadeh A, Sharp C, Ghanbari S. Shame-coping clusters: comparisons regarding attachment insecurities, mentalizing deficits, and personality pathology, controlling for general emotion dysregulation. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul 2023; 10:25. [PMID: 37679853 PMCID: PMC10485966 DOI: 10.1186/s40479-023-00231-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND General Emotion Dysregulation (GED) is increasingly implicated as an underlying factor in personality pathology; however, the regulation of specific emotions, such as shame, has been relatively overlooked in the literature. We aimed to identify distinct clusters of shame-coping/regulation and compare them regarding attachment insecurities, mentalizing deficits, and personality pathology, controlling for GED. METHODS A convenience sample of 600 participants (351 females and 249 males) from the general population with ages ranging from 18 to 65 (M = 33.78, SD = 12.80) completed a battery of self-report instruments, measuring shame-coping styles, GED, attachment insecurities, mentalizing deficits, criteria A and B of the alternative model for personality disorders, and borderline personality traits. A two-stage clustering method was employed, with shame-coping styles as the clustering variables. The identified clusters were then compared for their effects on dependent variables using multivariate and univariate analyses. These comparisons were also performed after controlling for GED. RESULTS Multiple determination methods suggested a two-cluster solution: maladaptive and adaptive shame-coping. Attack-self, withdrawal, and attack-other styles were the main discriminators. Compared with the adaptive cluster, the maladaptive cluster was characterized by higher use of maladaptive and lower use of adaptive shame-coping styles. Multivariate analyses demonstrated significant differences for all the between-cluster comparisons, with and without GED as the covariate (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS The current study provides evidence for the presence of homogenous clusters of shame-coping in community-based adults. Between-cluster contrasts after controlling for GED suggest that addressing shame-coping could have incremental utility over and above GED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Asgarizadeh
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Shahid Shahriari Square, Daneshjou Boulevard, Shahid Chamran Highway, Tehran, Iran
| | - Carla Sharp
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Saeed Ghanbari
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Shahid Shahriari Square, Daneshjou Boulevard, Shahid Chamran Highway, Tehran, Iran.
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Wright KA, Polk R, Lin T, Feifel D, Ebner NC. Four-week intranasal oxytocin administration reduces attachment avoidance in older women. Horm Behav 2023; 155:105413. [PMID: 37659357 PMCID: PMC10961710 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) serves as a critical modulator of social cognition and social behavior. Adult attachment is an affiliative process crucial for social interaction across adulthood. Insecure adult attachment comprises two broad dimensions, attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance. Both these dimensions of attachment are currently understudied regarding OT modulation, and especially in older adults. The present study determined the effects of chronic intranasal OT administration on adult attachment in generally healthy older women and men (aged 55-95 years). Embedded in a larger project, participants were randomly assigned to self-administer 24 international units of either OT or a placebo (P) intranasally twice daily for four weeks. The Experiences in Close Relationships Scale assessed adult attachment (anxiety and avoidance) pre- and post-treatment. There was no significant pre- to post-treatment change in attachment avoidance overall, but the treatment x timepoint x sex interaction was significant, in that women (but not men) in the OT (vs. P) group reported decreased attachment avoidance. No comparable effects were observed for attachment anxiety. Results suggest that older women may benefit from chronic intranasal OT treatment by experiencing less attachment avoidance in their adult relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie A Wright
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Rebecca Polk
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Tian Lin
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - David Feifel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Natalie C Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Institute on Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
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Pyykkö JE, Hinnen C, Aydin Ö, Nieuwdorp M, De Brauw LM, Bruin SC, van Olst N, Gerdes VEA, Sanderman R, Hagedoorn M. Attachment style and post-bariatric surgery health behaviours: the mediating role of self-esteem and health self-efficacy. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:248. [PMID: 37626349 PMCID: PMC10464092 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01273-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attachment avoidance and anxiety have been linked to overweight and poor health behaviours, yet the mechanisms that underpin the relationship between attachment and health behaviours are not fully understood. Self-esteem and self-efficacy have been found to differ between attachment styles, rendering these variables potential mediators of the relationship. This longitudinal study investigated the serial mediation between preoperative attachment and 2-year post-operative health behaviours through self-esteem and health self-efficacy. METHODS Participants were 263 bariatric surgery patients (75.7% females, aged 47.7 ± 10.4 years, BMI 38.9 ± 3.6 kg/m2) assessed before the operation and again one and two years after the surgery. Patients completed the Experiences for Close Relationships Brief Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem scale, Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire, Bariatric Surgery Self-Management Questionnaire, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale and the Exercise Behaviour Scale. RESULTS Higher preoperative attachment anxiety and avoidance were associated with lower self-esteem one year after bariatric surgery and poorer health self-efficacy two years after the surgery. Self-esteem and health self-efficacy mediated the relationships between preoperative anxious and avoidant attachment and 2- year post-operative diet adherence and physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Helping patients to feel more worthy and reinforcing their beliefs about their own competences could lead to higher engagement with healthy lifestyle and adherence to treatment protocols, ultimately helping patients to achieve their goals for bariatric surgery. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION BARIA: Netherlands Trial Register: NL5837 (NTR5992) https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/5837 . Diabaria: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03330756.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Eveliina Pyykkö
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands.
| | - Chris Hinnen
- LUMC Oncology Centre, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ömrüm Aydin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Max Nieuwdorp
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L Maurits De Brauw
- Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Spaarne Gasthuis, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd C Bruin
- Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Spaarne Gasthuis, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
| | - Nienke van Olst
- Department of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Spaarne Gasthuis, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
| | - Victor E A Gerdes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Sanderman
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
| | - Mariët Hagedoorn
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
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Horn AB, Zimmerli L, Maercker A, Holzer BM. The worse we feel, the more intensively we need to stick together: a qualitative study of couples' emotional co-regulation of the challenge of multimorbidity. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1213927. [PMID: 37637914 PMCID: PMC10450955 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1213927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Being faced with multimorbidity (i.e., being diagnosed with at least two chronic conditions), is not only demanding in terms of following complicated medical regimes and changing health behaviors. The changes and threats involved also provoke emotional responses in the patients but also in their romantic partners. This study aims at exploring the ways of emotional co-regulation that couples facing multimorbidity express when interviewed together. Method N = 15 opposite sex couples with one multimorbid patient after an acute health crisis that led to hospitalization were asked in a semi-structured interview about how they found ways to deal with the health situation, what they would recommend to other couples in a similar situation, and how they regulated their emotional responses. Interviews were analyzed qualitatively following open, axial, and selective coding, as in the grounded theory framework. Results Emerging categories from the romantic partners' and the patients' utterances revealed three main categories: First, overlapping cognitive appraisals about the situation (from fighting spirit to fatalism) and we-ness (construing the couple self as a unit) emerged as higher order factor from the utterances. Second, relationship-related strategies including strategies aimed at maintaining high relationship quality in spite of the asymmetric situation like strengthening the common ground and balancing autonomy and equity in the couple were often mentioned. Third, some couples mentioned how they benefit from individual strategies that involve fostering individual resources of the partners outside the couple relationship (such as cultivating relationships with grandchildren or going outdoors to nature). Discussion Results underline the importance of a dyadic perspective not only on coping with disease but also on regulating the emotional responses to this shared challenging situation. The utterances of the couples were in line with earlier conceptualizations of interpersonal emotion regulation and dyadic perspectives on we-disease. They broaden the view by integrating the interplay between individual and interpersonal regulation strategies and underline the importance of balancing individual and relational resources when supporting couples faced with chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea B. Horn
- CoupleSense: Health and Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Lab, University Research Priority Program “Dynamics of Healthy Aging,” University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center of Gerontology, Healthy Longevity Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Gerontopsychology and Gerontology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Zimmerli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Olten (KSO), Olten, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Maercker
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara M. Holzer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Muise A, Kovacevic K, Shoikhedbrod A, Uppot A. The benefits (and costs) of sexual responsiveness in romantic relationships. Curr Opin Psychol 2023; 52:101644. [PMID: 37423039 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Sex is one unique way people can show responsiveness in romantic relationships. Being and having a sexually responsive partner-who is understanding and motivated to make sexual compromises-is associated with sexual desire maintenance, sexual satisfaction, and relationship quality, especially when partners have different sexual interests or are coping with sexual issues. But, if being responsive to a partner's sexual needs involves self-neglect, sexual responsiveness no longer has these benefits and can be costly. Future research on sexual responsiveness should involve the development of a comprehensive measure incorporating lay perceptions and considering gendered sexual expectations, and an investigation of the balance between sexual autonomy and responsiveness in relationships.
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Domic-Siede M, Guzmán-González M, Burgos J, Carvallo C, Flores-Guerra C, Fredes-Valenzuela C, Suazo J, Véliz-García O, Calderón C, Sánchez-Corzo A, Perrone-Bertolotti M, Marín-Medina J. Emotion regulation strategies and the two-dimensional model of adult attachment: a pilot study. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1141607. [PMID: 37484522 PMCID: PMC10359990 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1141607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Emotion Regulation plays a crucial role in human's daily lives. Extensive research has shown that people with different attachment orientations exhibit divergencies in how they perform emotion regulation strategies. Methods 44 adults performed an experimental emotion regulation task in which they were instructed to attend, reappraise, or suppress their emotions while viewing negative and neutral images taken from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). Afterward, participants rated valence, arousal, and emotional dominance elicited by the images. Additionally, attachment orientations were measured using the ECR-12 questionnaire. Results Results showed a relationship between attachment avoidance and the level of arousal during the reappraisal condition; specifically, the higher attachment avoidance levels, the greater the emotional intensity during the implementation of cognitive reappraisal strategy. Such results suggest an association between failing in downregulate intense emotions using cognitive reappraisal when there are higher levels of attachment avoidance. Consistently, we also found that lower dominance during reappraisal was associated with more levels of avoidance. Conclusion These results indicate that people with higher levels of attachment avoidance experience difficulties when using the cognitive reappraisal strategy to reduce the emotional impact produced by negative emotional stimuli. Our findings reinforce the idea that avoidant people experience high physiological activation when experience emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Domic-Siede
- Núcleo de Investigación en Neurociencia Cognitiva y Afectiva, Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Mónica Guzmán-González
- Núcleo de Investigación en Neurociencia Cognitiva y Afectiva, Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Josefa Burgos
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Catalina Carvallo
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Camila Flores-Guerra
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Constanza Fredes-Valenzuela
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Javiera Suazo
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Oscar Véliz-García
- Núcleo de Investigación en Neurociencia Cognitiva y Afectiva, Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Carlos Calderón
- Núcleo de Investigación en Neurociencia Cognitiva y Afectiva, Laboratorio de Neurociencia Cognitiva, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Andrea Sánchez-Corzo
- Multimodal Functional Brain Imaging and Neurorehabilitation Hub, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Marcela Perrone-Bertolotti
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LPNC, Grenoble, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Jennifer Marín-Medina
- Unidad de Terapia Familiar, Centro de Intervención y Asesoría Psicosocial CIAP, Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
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