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Skrobinska L, Newman-Taylor K, Carnelley K. Secure attachment imagery facilitates help-seeking and help-acceptance in psychosis. Psychol Psychother 2024. [PMID: 38943487 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12530] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES People with psychosis delay accessing recommended treatments, resulting in poor healthcare outcomes and increased risk of relapse. Means of improving help-seeking and help-acceptance could reduce duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). This study examined the role of attachment style in help-seeking and help-acceptance in psychosis. DESIGN We used an experimental design to test the effect of attachment imagery priming on help-seeking and help-acceptance intentions, in a sample with self-reported psychosis. The independent variables were attachment imagery condition (secure vs. avoidant) and time (pre- vs. post-prime). The dependent variables were state paranoia, help-seeking intentions and help-acceptance intentions. METHODS We used an online research platform to recruit people with psychosis (n = 61). Participants were randomly allocated to the secure or avoidant attachment priming condition. All completed measures of state paranoia, help-seeking, and help-acceptance, before and after priming. RESULTS In comparison with the avoidant condition, secure attachment imagery resulted in reduced paranoia and increased help-seeking and acceptance intentions, all with large effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to use an experimental design to assess the role of attachment style in help-seeking and help-acceptance in a clinical sample. Attachment style is causally linked to behavioural intentions that contribute to DUP. Clinicians should assess attachment and help-seeking and acceptance, highlight these in formulation, and prioritise in treatment planning. Interventions that enhance help-seeking and acceptance could improve access to recommended treatments and reduce DUP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Skrobinska
- Psychology Department, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Katherine Newman-Taylor
- Psychology Department, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Psychology Department, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
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Puckett J, Sood M, Newman-Taylor K. Does insecure attachment lead to psychosis via dissociation? A systematic review of the literature. Psychol Psychother 2024; 97:372-392. [PMID: 38358073 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12521] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Insecure attachment may constitute a vulnerability factor for psychosis, and dissociation may be a key mechanism in the development of auditory hallucinations specifically. While there is good evidence for the role of these processes in isolation, it is unclear whether dissociation accounts for the association between insecure attachment and psychosis. This systematic review takes a theory-driven approach to examine proposed causal relationships across the clinical and nonclinical literature. METHODS We searched five databases (PubMeD, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL and ETHOS) for published and unpublished research examining attachment, dissociation and psychosis. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the quality of all included studies. RESULTS We identified 242 potential articles and included 13 in the final review (2096 participants). We found that (1) disorganised attachment was consistently associated with dissociation and inconsistently associated with voices and paranoia, (2) dissociation was associated with voices and paranoia, and these links were stronger in clinical samples, and (3) dissociation played a role in the impact of insecure attachment on voice hearing and paranoia in clinical groups. CONCLUSIONS This is the first review to synthesise the research examining attachment, dissociation, and psychosis. The evidence is consistent with proposed causal hypotheses and raises conceptual and measurement issues, for example, the need to clarify the relative contributions of different insecure attachment styles, and utilise behavioural/observational measures to strengthen study designs. Most importantly, we need experimental and longitudinal studies to confirm causal links and targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Puckett
- Psychology Department, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Monica Sood
- Psychology Department, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Katherine Newman-Taylor
- Psychology Department, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Psychology Department, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
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Abstract
PURPOSE This paper outlines the theoretical and empirical basis for compassion focused therapy (CFT) for psychosis, the gaps in the current knowledge and research, as well as some of the challenges for addressing gaps. It will guide the direction of future work and the steps needed to develop and advance this approach. METHOD This paper reviews evidence of how evolutionary models such as social rank theory and attachment theory have greatly contributed to our understanding of psychosis and provide a clear rationale and evidence base for the mechanisms of change in CFT for psychosis. It reviews the evidence for outcomes of compassion training more generally, and early feasibility evaluations of CFT for psychosis. RESULTS The process evidence shows that people with psychosis have highly active social rank and threat systems, and the benefits of switching into attachment and care systems, which can support emotion regulation and integrative mind states. The outcomes evidence shows that compassion training impacts not only psychological outcomes, but also physiological outcomes such as neural circuits, immune system, and the autonomic nervous system. Within the psychosis field, outcomes research is still in the early days, but there are good indications of feasibility and a clear path forward for the next steps. CONCLUSIONS CFT for psychosis is an approach that integrates biopsychosocial processes, an integration that's evidenced across each aspect of the model, from theoretical foundations (evolution-informed) to interventions (e.g., body/breath training and relational techniques), to evaluation. Future RCTs are required to understand the effects on biopsychosocial outcomes for people with psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Heriot-Maitland
- Balanced Minds, London, UK
- King's College London, London, UK
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Newman-Taylor K, Bentall R. Cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis: The end of the line or time for a new approach? Psychol Psychother 2024; 97:4-18. [PMID: 37804105 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Following its introduction in the early 1990s, cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) has been evaluated in a large number of clinical trials and is now established as a recommended treatment in the UK National Health Service and elsewhere in the world. Meta-analyses, however, indicate modest effects compared to treatment as usual or comparison therapies such as supportive counselling. Here, we seek to identify factors impacting the effectiveness of CBTp, and avenues for future psychotherapy research that may improve outcomes. METHOD We outline two recent umbrella reviews and discuss factors likely to impact the effectiveness of CBTp. RESULTS Modest effect sizes from meta-analyses mask heterogeneous outcomes, with some people benefiting and others possibly being harmed by therapy. Common factors such as the therapeutic alliance play an important role in determining outcomes but have been largely neglected by CBTp researchers. There is also the promise of improving outcomes by identifying and targeting the psychological mechanisms that either maintain psychotic symptoms (e.g. worry) or are causally implicated (e.g. trauma). CONCLUSIONS It is unlikely that everyone with psychosis will be equally responsive to the same therapeutic protocols. We need a new, personalised psychotherapy approach to CBTp research and practice, and can learn from research for anxiety and depression examining predictors of therapeutic response to inform treatment decisions. Precision psychological therapies informed by a combination of individual characteristics, common factors and a focus on specific mechanisms will require new research strategies and are likely to lead to improved outcomes for people with psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Newman-Taylor
- Psychology Department, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Psychology Department, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Richard Bentall
- Psychology Department, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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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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Strachan LP, Paulik G, Preece DA, McEvoy PM. Pathways from trauma to unusual perceptual experiences: Modelling the roles of insecure attachment, negative affect, emotion regulation and dissociation. Psychol Psychother 2023; 96:934-951. [PMID: 37493351 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12486] [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: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A range of traumas have been linked to voices (auditory verbal hallucinations) and unusual perceptual experiences (UPEs) in other perceptual-sensory domains. Models of PTSD and positive symptoms of psychosis are insufficient in explaining the relationship between trauma and voices. The trauma-related voices (TRV) model was developed to generate novel research in this area. AIMS This study aimed to investigate pathways from trauma to the frequency of UPEs based on a subset of hypothesised relationships in the TRV model. MATERIALS The PTSD Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5, State Adult Attachment Measure, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21, Perth Emotion and Regulation Competency Inventory, Dissociative Experiences Measure Oxford, and Multi-modality Unusual Perceptual Experiences Questionnaire. METHODS We used path analysis in a non-clinical sample (N = 528) to model indirect effects from diverse trauma experiences to the frequency of multi-sensory UPEs via a subset of mediators within the TRV model: insecure attachment, emotion regulation deficits, negative affect and dissociation. RESULTS Our model was an excellent fit to the data and accounted for 37.1% of variance in UPE frequency, and all direct (βs = .14-.61) and indirect pathways (βs = .01-.08) were significant (ps < .001). DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that insecure attachment may link diverse trauma experiences to emotion regulation deficits and negative affect, which are linked to UPE frequency via dissociation. CONCLUSION Our findings provide preliminary evidence for a subset of relationships within the TRV model. Future studies are needed to gather stronger evidence of temporality and causation between these factors, and to test broader pathways within the TRV model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura P Strachan
- Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health & enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Georgie Paulik
- School of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Perth Voices Clinic, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David A Preece
- Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health & enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter M McEvoy
- Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health & enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Interventions, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Ayawvi G, Berglund AM, James SH, Luther L, Walker EF, Mittal VA, Strauss GP. The association between early traumatic experiences and the five domains of negative symptoms in participants at clinical high risk for psychosis. Early Interv Psychiatry 2023; 17:1131-1135. [PMID: 37041742 PMCID: PMC10564962 DOI: 10.1111/eip.13418] [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: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
AIM Youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis have high rates of early life trauma, but it is unclear how trauma exposure impacts later negative symptom severity in CHR. The current study examined the association between early childhood trauma and the five domains of negative symptoms (anhedonia, avolition, asociality, blunted affect, alogia). METHOD Eighty nine participants completed interviewer-rated measures of childhood trauma and abuse experienced before age 16, psychosis risk, and negative symptoms. RESULTS Higher global negative symptom severity was associated with greater exposure to childhood psychological bullying, physical bullying, emotional neglect, psychological abuse, and physical abuse. Greater severity of avolition and asociality was associated with physical bullying. Greater severity of avolition was associated with emotional neglect. CONCLUSION Early adversity and childhood trauma is associated with negative symptoms during adolescence and early adulthood among participants at CHR for psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gifty Ayawvi
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Sydney H. James
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lauren Luther
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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8
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Gomes L, Ferreira T, Santos E, Freitas J, Carvalho R. Evaluation of parent bonding style and traumatic experiences in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: A case-control study. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1592-1604. [PMID: 37095736 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231168037] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is no consensus about the etiology of schizophrenia (SQZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). Both hereditary and environmental factors are recognized, but the importance of variables like the role of parental attachment and trauma is still under research. AIMS Evaluate and compare the patient-parent bonding and the frequency and severity of various types of trauma in patients with SQZ, BD, and a control group from Primary Health Care. METHOD This study included 50 patients with SQZ and 50 with BD followed at a psychiatric hospital, through a convenience sample. Each participant of the clinical sample was paired with a control with no psychiatric background of the same gender and similar age, from a primary health center. Two scales were applied - Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF). RESULTS Regarding PBI, there was a higher frequency of the most dysfunctional attachment style (affectionless control), in patients with SQZ and BD, with p < .001 (always), both for the father and the mother. In addition, ideal parenting style (optimal parenting) was significantly more common in control samples, with p = .002 or <.001, both for the father and for the mother. Trauma was more frequent and severe in SQZ and BD than controls, in all evaluated dimensions. Again, differences between groups are obvious, with p = .012 or <.001. Parental bonding style and scores in the care and overprotection dimensions were also correlated. The only parental bonding style in which correlations were found was in affectionless control. Correlations were more common in cases of neglect compared to abuse. CONCLUSIONS In this research we found important differences in terms of parental attachment and childhood trauma between patients with SQZ and BD, compared with controls of the same gender and age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tania Ferreira
- Unidade de Saúde Familiar Progresso e Saúde, Cantanhede, Portugal
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de With J, Korver-Nieberg N, de Haan L, Schirmbeck F. The association between attachment style and social functioning in patients with non-affective psychotic disorders, unaffected siblings and healthy controls. Schizophr Res 2023; 252:96-102. [PMID: 36638690 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.12.038] [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: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In patients with psychotic disorders, insecure attachment styles and impaired social functioning are highly prevalent. Our aim was to explore the multi-cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between attachment style and social functioning. METHODS This study was performed in a subsample of 119 patients with non-affective psychotic disorders, 128 unaffected siblings and 66 healthy controls within the Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (GROUP) Study. Attachment style (using the Psychosis Attachment Measure) and three social functioning domains, namely withdrawal, interpersonal behaviour and pro-social activities as measured with the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) were assessed on two moments in time. Generalized linear mixed models and linear regression models were used. Bonferroni correction for multiple testing was applied. RESULTS In the patient group, a significant negative association was found between avoidant attachment and pro-social functioning. In the sibling and control group, we found significant negative associations between avoidant attachment and the social functioning domains withdrawal and interpersonal behaviour. We also found a significant negative association between anxious attachment and the social functioning domain withdrawal in siblings. Higher levels of insecure anxious attachment at baseline predicted a reduction of the social functioning domain interpersonal behaviour in siblings over a period of three years on a trend level. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that levels of insecure attachment are elevated in patients with psychotic disorders and have a negative association with social functioning in both patients, siblings and controls. These findings warrant specific attention for attachment style in the treatment of patients with psychotic disorders and individuals with an increased vulnerability for developing psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine de With
- Early Psychosis Department, Amsterdam UMC (location AMC), Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Lieuwe de Haan
- Early Psychosis Department, Amsterdam UMC (location AMC), Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Arkin Institute for Mental Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frederike Schirmbeck
- Early Psychosis Department, Amsterdam UMC (location AMC), Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Arkin Institute for Mental Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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10
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Modeling the relationship between mentoring and depression symptoms among adolescent North Korean refugees. J Sch Psychol 2022; 92:121-135. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsp.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Partridge O, Maguire T, Newman-Taylor K. How does attachment style affect psychosis? A systematic review of causal mechanisms and guide to future inquiry. Psychol Psychother 2022; 95:345-380. [PMID: 34687273 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The link between attachment and psychosis is now well established, but less is known about the causal mechanisms underlying this relationship. This systematic review synthesises the studies that examine mediating mechanisms in the attachment and psychosis relationship, in both clinical and non-clinical samples. METHOD We conducted a database search (PsychINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science) to identify all eligible studies irrespective of publication status, the language of article or article date. We assessed methodological quality and completed a narrative synthesis given the heterogeneity of studies to date. RESULTS We identified 17 papers, comprising 3,672 participants. The relationship between attachment and psychosis is mediated by four variables or groups of variables. There is good evidence for the causal role of affective factors (affective dysregulation and affective disturbances) and cognitive factors (e.g., self-beliefs and self-esteem and beliefs about symptoms). Affective factors differed by attachment style. Tentative evidence was found for the role of duration of untreated psychosis and baseline negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive and affective factors mediate the relationship between attachment style and psychosis. Whilst cognitive factors are routinely targeted in recommended psychological interventions for psychosis, affective factors and attachment style are less commonly considered. Psychological therapies may be improved by calibrating cognitive and affective interventions by attachment style, which should be subjected to experimental and then field studies to assess the impact on clinical and recovery outcomes. PRACTITIONER POINTS The relationship between attachment and psychosis is now well established, and studies have started to examine mediating mechanisms. Affective and cognitive factors mediate the attachment-psychosis relationship. Affective factors differ by attachment style. There is limited evidence for the duration of untreated psychosis and negative psychotic symptoms as mediating mechanisms, and research replication is needed. Cognitive factors are routinely targeted in recommended psychological therapies for psychosis, but affective factors and attachment style are less commonly considered. Research should be conducted into the effectiveness of psychological therapies which calibrate cognitive and affective interventions, according to attachment style.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tess Maguire
- Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, UK
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Sood M, Carnelley KB, Newman-Taylor K. How does insecure attachment lead to paranoia? A systematic critical review of cognitive, affective, and behavioural mechanisms. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 61:781-815. [PMID: 35178714 PMCID: PMC9542899 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The relationship between attachment and paranoia is now well established. There is good theoretical reason and evidence to indicate that attachment style affects cognitive, affective, and behavioural processes which, in turn, contribute to the maintenance of paranoia, but this research has not been integrated. We critically and systematically review research that examines relevant cognitive, affective, and behavioural processes, which may explain how attachment insecurity leads to paranoia and constitute key targets in psychotherapeutic interventions for people with psychosis. Method We conducted three systematic searches across six databases (PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar), from inception to September 2021, to investigate key cognitive, affective, and behavioural processes in the attachment–paranoia association. Results We identified a total of 1930 papers and critically reviewed 16. The literature suggests that negative self‐ and other‐beliefs, inability to defuse from unhelpful cognitions, and use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies mediate the association between attachment insecurity and paranoia in people with psychosis/psychotic experience. Attachment‐secure people with psychosis are more likely to seek help and engage with services than attachment‐insecure people. Conclusions Attachment styles impact help‐seeking behaviours in people with psychosis and are likely to influence paranoia via self‐ and other‐beliefs, cognition fusion, and emotion regulation – these candidate mechanisms may be targeted in psychological therapy to improve clinical outcomes for people with psychosis, characterized by paranoia. Practitioner points Insecure attachment is likely to lead to paranoia via negative beliefs about self and others, cognitive fusion, and use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. These mechanisms can be targeted in psychotherapeutic interventions for psychosis, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, to improve clinical and recovery outcomes. People with psychosis who are attachment‐secure are more likely to seek help and engage with services than those who are attachment‐insecure (particularly avoidant). Attachment style can be assessed to predict service engagement and help‐seeking behaviours in people with psychosis. Attachment styles are important predictors of key cognitive, affective, and behavioural processes in people with psychosis. These processes can be assessed and incorporated into individualised formulations, and then targeted in therapy to effect psychotherapeutic change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Sood
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, UK
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Attachment-based CBT models for psychosis: a PPI-informed approach for acute care settings. COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s1754470x22000526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
People with psychosis often have prolonged in-patient1 admissions at high personal and economic costs. This is due in part to cognitive, affective and behavioural processes that delay recovery and discharge. For many, these processes are affected by enduring insecure attachment styles. People with insecure attachment struggle to manage strong feelings when unwell, and ward staff may struggle to know how best to offer support. Here, we outline the model of interpersonal process in cognitive therapy, and how this may be adapted to capture beliefs and behaviours associated with insecure attachment. Psychological interventions in acute care often fail due to implementation issues. For this reason, and in line with current guidance on developing complex interventions, we report on a series of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) consultations with people with lived experience of psychosis, family members and ward staff on the potential utility of these attachment-based CBT models. The PPI meetings highlighted three themes: (1) the need to improve staff–patient interactions on wards; (2) continuity in staff–patient relationships is key to recovery; and (3) advantages and barriers to an attachment-based CBT approach. We conclude by describing how the models can be implemented in routine clinical practice, and generalised across services where interpersonal cognitive and behavioural processes may contribute to delays in people’s recovery.
Key learning aims
(1)
We need to adapt CBT models and skills to meet the needs of people in acute care.
(2)
People with psychosis, family members and ward staff highlight the need to improve staff–patient interactions on wards.
(3)
Attachment-based CBT models may be effective in conceptualising and responding more effectively to difficult interactions in these settings.
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Dvir Y. Childhood Trauma and Psychosis: A Brief Updated Review and Case Study. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2022; 31:91-98. [PMID: 34801157 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2021.08.002] [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] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Significant evidence suggests strong links between childhood trauma and psychosis, with childhood trauma considered a significant risk factor for psychosis, causing a more severe presentation of psychotic illness with a dose-response effect. The relationship between anxiety, mood, posttraumatic stress disorder, and childhood trauma and psychosis and the difficulties distinguishing between overlapping symptoms require careful attention of the treating clinician considering the presentation and treatment course. Finally, there also appears to be a link between childhood trauma and violent behavior in individuals with psychotic illness. More research is needed into the effectiveness and safety of trauma-focused psychotherapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Dvir
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
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Lekka D, Richardson C, Madoglou A, Orlandou K, Karamanoli VI, Roubi A, Pezirkianidis C, Arachoviti V, Tsaraklis A, Stalikas A. Dehumanization of Hospitalized Patients and Self-Dehumanization by Health Professionals and the General Population in Greece. Cureus 2021; 13:e20182. [PMID: 35004006 PMCID: PMC8726745 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Dehumanization is defined as the denial to people of their humanness. It is distinguished into animalistic and mechanistic dehumanization. The aim of this study is to examine whether professionals in a public hospital dehumanize the patient and self-dehumanize. Methods We used the Dehumanization Questionnaire, the Mechanistic Self-Dehumanization Scale, the Human Nature and Human Uniqueness Characteristics Questionnaire, the General Causality Orientation Scale and the Adult Attachment Questionnaire. The sample consisted of 135 mental health professionals (20 from a general hospital and 115 from a psychiatric hospital), 134 other health professionals from the general hospital and 84 people from the general population. Results Health professionals dehumanize the hospitalized patient more than the general population. The secure attachment acts protectively on self-dehumanization and negatively on the dehumanization of the hospitalized patient. Finally, autonomous people are not self-dehumanized. Conclusions Our findings indicate that measures should be taken for health professionals so that they do not dehumanize the patient.
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Herstell S, Betz LT, Penzel N, Chechelnizki R, Filihagh L, Antonucci L, Kambeitz J. Insecure attachment as a transdiagnostic risk factor for major psychiatric conditions: A meta-analysis in bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia spectrum disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 144:190-201. [PMID: 34678669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Insecure attachment has been suggested as a major risk factor for mental health problems as well as a key element for the development and trajectory of psychiatric disorders. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess whether insecure attachment constitutes a global transdiagnostic risk factor in bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We conducted a PRISMA-based systematic quantitative review to explore the prevalence of insecure attachment among patients of three representative psychiatric disorders - major depression, schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder - in comparison with healthy controls (HC) from a transdiagnostic point of view. Effect sizes on differences of anxious, avoidant and insecure prevalence were calculated based on 40 samples including a total of n = 2927 individuals. Overall, results indicated a large effect on prevalence of insecure attachment across all disorders compared to HC (k = 30, g = 0.88, I2 = 71.0%, p < 0.001). In a transdiagnostic comparison, the only difference was found in avoidant attachment, which was significantly lower (p = 0.04) compared to HC in the schizophrenia spectrum disorder subgroup (k = 10, g = 0.31, I2 = 76.60%, p < 0.0001) than the depression subgroup subgroup (k = 12, g = 0.83, I2 = 46.65%, p < 0.0001). The lack of further transdiagnostic differences between three distinct psychiatric disorders corroborates insecure attachment as a general vulnerability factor to psychopathology. Our findings warrant further investigations, which should explore the pathways from attachment insecurity towards psychopathology. Insecure attachment likely has implications on assessment, prediction and treatment of psychiatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Herstell
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Linda T Betz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Nora Penzel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Nußbaumstraße 7, 80336, Munich, Germany.
| | - Ruth Chechelnizki
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Laura Filihagh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Linda Antonucci
- Department of Education, Psychology and Communication - University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121, Bari BA, Italy; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs - University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121, Bari BA, Italy.
| | - Joseph Kambeitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
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Tjaden CD, Mulder CL, Delespaul PA, Arntz AR, Kroon H. Attachment as a framework to facilitate empowerment for people with severe mental illness. Psychol Psychother 2021; 94:407-425. [PMID: 33124185 PMCID: PMC8451854 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recovery and empowerment have evolved into key objectives in the treatment and care of people with severe mental illness (SMI), and interest has grown in the role of social relationships in recovery. This study is the first to explore whether attachment styles are related to levels of empowerment, and secondly, whether attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance are associated with lower empowerment levels, independently of quality and frequency of social contact. DESIGN We used a cross-sectional design. METHODS In a sample of 157 participants with SMI in outpatient care, associations between attachment (Revised Adult Attachment Scale), self-reported social functioning, and empowerment (Netherlands Empowerment List) were assessed. RESULTS Attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were both associated with lower levels of empowerment. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the prediction of empowerment was significantly improved by adding attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance to quality and frequency of social contact. Attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, and quality of social contact were significant predictors; frequency of social contact was not. CONCLUSIONS Although our design does not allow causal conclusions, our results highlight the importance of interpersonal processes and behaviours as routes to improving empowerment for people with SMI. A promising approach might thus consist of securing attachment bonds with significant others so that the self and the other are perceived as reliable resources. Our findings also feature the importance of reciprocity and equality in social relationships. Taken together, our study emphasizes the value of social, contextualized interventions in recovery work for people with SMI. PRACTITIONER POINTS Working towards attachment safety in interpersonal relations may be important in recovery-oriented treatment and care for people with severe mental illness (SMI). Helping people with SMI to recognize and change how they tend to relate themselves to others may promote engagement and effectiveness of recovery-oriented treatment and care. Reciprocity and equality in social relationships as vital complements to the more one-sided nature of 'standing alongside' and offering support may be important requisites for empowerment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathelijn D. Tjaden
- Department of Reintegration and Community CareTrimbos InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands,Department of Social and Behavioral SciencesTranzo Scientific Center for Care and WelfareTilburg UniversityThe Netherlands
| | - Cornelis L. Mulder
- Department of PsychiatryErasmus Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands,AntesParnassia Psychiatric InstituteRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Philippe A.E.G. Delespaul
- School of Mental Health and NeuroSciencesMaastricht UniversityThe Netherlands,Mondriaan Mental Health TrustMaastricht/HeerlenThe Netherlands
| | - Arnoud R. Arntz
- Department of Clinical PsychologyUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Hans Kroon
- Department of Reintegration and Community CareTrimbos InstituteUtrechtThe Netherlands,Department of Social and Behavioral SciencesTranzo Scientific Center for Care and WelfareTilburg UniversityThe Netherlands
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18
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Bourke E, Barker C, Fornells-Ambrojo M. Systematic review and meta-analysis of therapeutic alliance, engagement, and outcome in psychological therapies for psychosis. Psychol Psychother 2021; 94:822-853. [PMID: 33569885 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AIM The moderate association between therapeutic alliance (TA) and psychological therapy outcome is well established. Historically, the field has not focused on people with a severe mental illness. This is the first review to conduct a meta-analysis of associations between TA and therapeutic engagement as well as outcome in psychological therapy for psychosis. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Eligible studies conducted a quantitative investigation of the relationship between TA during a psychological therapy and outcome at a subsequent time-point. METHOD A systematic review examined the relationship between TA and engagement as well as outcome measures within psychological therapy for psychosis. Correlational meta-analyses using an aggregate random effects model were conducted. RESULTS Twenty-four studies were eligible for inclusion (n = 1,656) of which 13 were included in the meta-analyses. Client- and therapist-rated TA were associated with engagement in therapy (rclient (c) = 0.36, p = .003; rtherapist (t) = 0.40, p = .0053). TA was also associated with reduction in global (rc = 0.29, p = .0005; rt = 0.24, p = .0015) and psychotic symptoms (rc = 0.17, p = .0115; rt = 0.30, p = .0003). The systematic review identified no evidence or limited evidence for a relationship between TA during therapy and depression, substance use, physical health behaviours, global as well as social functioning, overall mental health recovery, and self-esteem at follow-up. Although number of studies was small, TA was related to a reduced risk of subsequent hospitalization in 40% of analyses (across two studies) and improved cognitive outcome in 50% of analyses (across three studies). CONCLUSIONS The observed TA-therapy engagement and TA-outcome associations were broadly consistent with those identified across non-psychotic diagnostic groups. Well-powered studies are needed to investigate the relationship between TA and process as well as outcome in psychological therapy for psychosis specifically. PRACTITIONER POINTS This is the first review to conduct a meta-analytic synthesis of the association between therapeutic alliance (TA) and both engagement and change in outcome in psychological therapies for psychosis. TA (as rated by therapist and client) was associated with the extent of therapeutic engagement as well as reduction in global mental health symptoms and psychotic symptoms. The significant associations between TA and engagement as well as change in outcome identified in the current review are broadly consistent with those observed across non-psychotic diagnostic groups. We consider factors that could impact upon the dynamic and potentially interdependent relationships between TA and therapeutic techniques, including attachment security and severity of paranoid ideation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Bourke
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chris Barker
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Miriam Fornells-Ambrojo
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
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19
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Carvalho D, Marques CC, Pinto AM, Martins MJ, Leal I, Castilho P. Fears of compassion scales in psychosis: confirmatory factor analysis and psychometric properties. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01979-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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20
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Varela LF, Wong KHT, Shergill SS, Fett AKJ. Attachment styles moderate Theory of Mind differences between persons with schizophrenia, first-degree relatives and controls. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 60:339-356. [PMID: 34036577 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Theory of Mind (ToM) plays a role in social functioning and is impaired in patients with schizophrenia and to a lesser degree in first-degree relatives, compared to healthy controls. This study investigates whether attachment styles moderate these observed group differences in ToM. METHODS This cross-sectional study included a sample of 51 patients, 23 first-degree relatives, and 49 controls who completed assessments of anxious and avoidant attachment (Psychosis Attachment Measure), ToM (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test), and estimated cognitive ability. Patients' symptoms were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. RESULTS Patients differed from controls and relatives in ToM performance but not in attachment avoidance or attachment anxiety. Attachment anxiety showed an interaction with group over ToM. The interaction was significant only between patients and controls but not between patients and relatives or relatives and controls. Post-hoc analysis showed that patients and controls showed differential ToM performance at average and high attachment anxiety. In patients, symptom levels did not moderate the association between attachment and ToM. CONCLUSIONS Attachment anxiety is related to poorer levels of ToM in patients, suggesting this may have a contributory role in schizophrenia. The findings stress the need for longitudinal research into the directionality of the relationship between ToM and attachment anxiety. PRACTITIONER POINTS Relationships with significant others might be a factor that influences the way in which social information is processed by persons with a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder. In patients, higher levels of attachment anxiety - that is, low self-worth, fear of abandonment and rejection, continuous vigilance of threat-related cues - were associated with a lower ability to understand the mental states of others. However, at lower levels of attachment anxiety, their ToM performance was comparable to that of relatives and controls. This effect was not influenced by symptom severity. Further research is required to confirm the potential influence of attachment insecurity on ToM ability as the latter is strongly related to patient's functional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Varela
- Unidad de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Servicio de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Hospital CRS El Pino, Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Sur, Santiago, Chile.,Cognition, Schizophrenia and Imaging Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Katie H T Wong
- Cognition, Schizophrenia and Imaging Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Sukhi S Shergill
- Cognition, Schizophrenia and Imaging Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Anne-K J Fett
- Cognition, Schizophrenia and Imaging Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.,Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Social Sciences, City, University of London, UK
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21
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Antonucci LA, Raio A, Pergola G, Gelao B, Papalino M, Rampino A, Andriola I, Blasi G, Bertolino A. Machine learning-based ability to classify psychosis and early stages of disease through parenting and attachment-related variables is associated with social cognition. BMC Psychol 2021; 9:47. [PMID: 33757595 PMCID: PMC7989088 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-021-00552-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent views posited that negative parenting and attachment insecurity can be considered as general environmental factors of vulnerability for psychosis, specifically for individuals diagnosed with psychosis (PSY). Furthermore, evidence highlighted a tight relationship between attachment style and social cognition abilities, a key PSY behavioral phenotype. The aim of this study is to generate a machine learning algorithm based on the perceived quality of parenting and attachment style-related features to discriminate between PSY and healthy controls (HC) and to investigate its ability to track PSY early stages and risk conditions, as well as its association with social cognition performance. Methods Perceived maternal and paternal parenting, as well as attachment anxiety and avoidance scores, were trained to separate 71 HC from 34 PSY (20 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia + 14 diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic manifestations) using support vector classification and repeated nested cross-validation. We then validated this model on independent datasets including individuals at the early stages of disease (ESD, i.e. first episode of psychosis or depression, or at-risk mental state for psychosis) and with familial high risk for PSY (FHR, i.e. having a first-degree relative suffering from psychosis). Then, we performed factorial analyses to test the group x classification rate interaction on emotion perception, social inference and managing of emotions abilities. Results The perceived parenting and attachment-based machine learning model discriminated PSY from HC with a Balanced Accuracy (BAC) of 72.2%. Slightly lower classification performance was measured in the ESD sample (HC-ESD BAC = 63.5%), while the model could not discriminate between FHR and HC (BAC = 44.2%). We observed a significant group x classification interaction in PSY and HC from the discovery sample on emotion perception and on the ability to manage emotions (both p = 0.02). The interaction on managing of emotion abilities was replicated in the ESD and HC validation sample (p = 0.03). Conclusion Our results suggest that parenting and attachment-related variables bear significant classification power when applied to both PSY and its early stages and are associated with variability in emotion processing. These variables could therefore be useful in psychosis early recognition programs aimed at softening the psychosis-associated disability. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-021-00552-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda A Antonucci
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Scipione Crisanzio 42, 70122, Bari, Italy. .,Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Raio
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Giulio Pergola
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.,Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara Gelao
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Papalino
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Rampino
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Blasi
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertolino
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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22
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Nasiriavanaki Z, Barbour T, Farabaugh AH, Fava M, Holmes AJ, Tootell RBH, Holt DJ. Anxious attachment is associated with heightened responsivity of a parietofrontal cortical network that monitors peri-personal space. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2021; 30:102585. [PMID: 33773165 PMCID: PMC8024770 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A parietofrontal cortical network is more active when stimuli are near the body. Responses of this network were positively correlated with “attachment anxiety”. No other types of attachment or symptoms accounted for this association. Connectivity strength within this network was not linked with attachment anxiety.
Background Attachment, or affiliative bonding among conspecifics, is thought to involve neural mechanisms underlying behavioral responses to threat and reward-related social signals. However, attachment-oriented responses may also rely on basic sensorimotor processes. One sensorimotor system that may play a role in attachment is the parietofrontal cortical network that responds to stimuli that are near or approaching the body, the peripersonal space (PPS) monitoring system. We hypothesized that this network may vary in responsivity to such potentially harmful stimuli, particularly those with social salience, based on individual differences in attachment styles. Methods Young adults viewed images of human faces or cars that appeared to move towards or away from them, while functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected. Correlations between each of four adult attachment styles, measured using the Relationship Questionnaire, and responses of the PPS network to approaching (versus withdrawing) stimuli were measured. Results A region-of-interest (ROI) analysis, focused on six cortical regions of the PPS network that showed significant responses to approaching versus withdrawing face stimuli in an independent sample (n = 80), revealed that anxious attachment style (but not the other 3 attachment styles) was significantly positively correlated with responses to faces (but not to cars) in all six ROIs (r = 0.33–0.49, p = 0.01–0.0001, n = 50). Conclusions These findings suggest that anxious attachment is associated with over-responsivity of a sensorimotor network involved in attending to social stimuli near the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Nasiriavanaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tracy Barbour
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amy H Farabaugh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maurizio Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Avram J Holmes
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Roger B H Tootell
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Daphne J Holt
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.
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23
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Coughlan H, Walton-Ball E, Carey E, Healy C, O’Regan-Murphy G, Uidhir AN, Clarke MC, Cannon M. Self-reported interpersonal and educational/vocational difficulties in young adults with a history of transient psychotic experiences: findings from a population-based study. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:30. [PMID: 33430829 PMCID: PMC7802220 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-03022-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychotic experiences (PEs) are not uncommon in young people and are associated with both psychopathology and compromised global functioning. Although psychotic experiences are transient (short-lived, self-resolving and non-recurring) for most people who report them, few studies have examined the association between early transient PEs and later functioning in population samples. Additionally, studies using self-report measures of interpersonal and educational/ vocational difficulties are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between transient psychotic experiences and self-reported interpersonal and educational/vocational difficulties in adolescence and young adulthood. METHODS Participants were 103 young people from a longitudinal population-based study cohort of mental health in Ireland. They attended for baseline clinical interviews in childhood (age 11-13) and were followed up in young adulthood (age 19-25). Participants who reported psychotic experiences at baseline but not at follow-up were classified as having transient psychotic experiences. Data from both time-points were used to examine the association between transient psychotic experiences and self-reported interpersonal and educational/ vocational difficulties in young adulthood using poisson regression modelling. RESULTS Young people with a history of transient psychotic experiences reported significantly higher interpersonal (adj IRR: 1.83, 95%ileCI: 1.10-3.02, p = .02) and educational/vocational (adj IRR: 2.28, 95%ileCI: 1.43-3.64, p = .001) difficulties during adolescence. However, no significant differences in interpersonal (adj IRR: 0.49, 95%ileCI: 0.10-2.30, p = .37) or educational/vocational (adj IRR: 0.88, 95%ileCI: 0.37-2.08, p = .77) difficulties were found in young adulthood. Self-reported interpersonal and educational/vocational difficulties in young people both with and without a history of transient psychotic experiences decreased between adolescence and young adulthood. CONCLUSIONS Young people with transient psychotic experiences have increased interpersonal and educational/vocational difficulties in adolescence but these may not persist into the young adult years. This finding indicates that early psychotic experiences may not confer high risk for long-term interpersonal or educational/vocational deficits among young people who experience these phenomena transiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Coughlan
- grid.414315.60000 0004 0617 6058Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Erin Walton-Ball
- grid.414315.60000 0004 0617 6058Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eleanor Carey
- grid.414315.60000 0004 0617 6058Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm Healy
- grid.414315.60000 0004 0617 6058Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grace O’Regan-Murphy
- grid.414315.60000 0004 0617 6058Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aoife Nic Uidhir
- grid.414315.60000 0004 0617 6058Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary C. Clarke
- grid.414315.60000 0004 0617 6058Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland ,grid.4912.e0000 0004 0488 7120Department of Psychology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Cannon
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. .,Department of Psychiatry, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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24
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van Bussel EMM, Nguyen NHM, Wierdsma AI, van Aken BC, Willems IEMG, Mulder CL. Adult Attachment and Personal, Social, and Symptomatic Recovery From Psychosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:641642. [PMID: 33716835 PMCID: PMC7943841 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.641642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite growing evidence for the role of attachment in psychosis, no quantitative review has yet been published on the relationship in this population between insecure attachment and recovery in a broad sense. We therefore used meta-analytic techniques to systematically appraise studies on the relationship between attachment and symptomatic, social and personal recovery in clients with a psychotic disorder. Using the keywords attachment, psychosis, recovery and related terms, we searched six databases: Embase, Medline Epub (OVID), Psycinfo (OVID), Cochrane Central (trials), Web of Science, and Google Scholar. This yielded 28 studies assessing the associations between adult attachment and recovery outcome in populations with a psychotic disorder. The findings indicated that insecure anxious and avoidant attachment are both associated with less symptomatic recovery (positive and general symptoms), and worse social and personal recovery outcomes in individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. The associations were stronger for social and personal recovery than for symptomatic recovery. Attachment style is a clinically relevant construct in relation to the development and course of psychosis and recovery from it. Greater attention to the relationship between attachment and the broad scope of recovery (symptomatic, social, and personal) will improve our understanding of the illness and efficacy of treatment for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M M van Bussel
- Geestelijke gezondheidszorg Oost Brabant, Institute for Mental Health, Oss, Netherlands
| | - N H M Nguyen
- Geestelijke gezondheidszorg Oost Brabant, Institute for Mental Health, Oss, Netherlands
| | - A I Wierdsma
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - B C van Aken
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - I E M G Willems
- GGZ Breburg, Institute for Mental Health, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - C L Mulder
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Parnassia Psychiartric Institute, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Heriot-Maitland C, Wykes T, Peters E. Trauma and Social Pathways to Psychosis, and Where the Two Paths Meet. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:804971. [PMID: 35082703 PMCID: PMC8785245 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.804971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathways from trauma-via dissociation-to psychosis have been thoroughly tested and evidenced, but what has received less attention has been the social pathways-via dissociation-to psychosis. Often social factors are more commonly linked to other influences, e.g., to appraisals and the creation of negative schema in cognitive models, or to unsupportive caregiving experiences where there is high "expressed emotion." However, evidence is now emerging that negative social rank experiences, such as being excluded or shamed, may themselves have dissociative properties, which poses intriguing questions as to how trauma pathways and social pathways might interact. This article reviews the state of knowledge in trauma and social pathways to psychosis and then considers the potential mechanisms and the relationships between them, specifically (i) dissociation, (ii) attachment, and (iii) social rank. Recommendations are suggested for future modeling and testing of three-way interactions (dissociation × attachment × social rank) in the pathway from trauma to psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Heriot-Maitland
- Department of Psychology, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Mental Health Research Facility, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Til Wykes
- Department of Psychology, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom.,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuelle Peters
- Department of Psychology, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom.,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Taylor CD, Harper SF. Early maladaptive schema, social functioning and distress in psychosis: A preliminary investigation. CLIN PSYCHOL-UK 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/cp.12082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D.j. Taylor
- Early Intervention Service, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Accrington, UK,
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,
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Turtonen O, Saarinen A, Nummenmaa L, Tuominen L, Tikka M, Armio RL, Hautamäki A, Laurikainen H, Raitakari O, Keltikangas-Järvinen L, Hietala J. Adult Attachment System Links With Brain Mu Opioid Receptor Availability In Vivo. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 6:360-369. [PMID: 33431346 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Secure attachment is important in maintaining an individual's health and well-being. Attachment disturbances increase the risk for developing psychiatric disorders such as affective disorders. Yet, the neurobiological correlates of human attachment are poorly understood at the neurotransmitter level. We investigated whether adult attachment style is linked to functioning of the opioid and serotonergic systems in the human brain. METHODS We used positron emission tomography with radioligands [11C]carfentanil and [11C]MADAM to quantify mu opioid receptor (n = 39) and serotonin transporter (n = 37) availability in volunteers with no current psychiatric disorders. Attachment style was determined according to the Dynamic-Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation with the structured Adult Attachment Interview. RESULTS Secure attachment was associated with higher mu opioid receptor availability in the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and prefrontal cortex when compared with insecure (i.e., avoidant or ambivalent groups combined) attachment. In contrast, attachment style was not associated with serotonin transporter availability. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide preliminary in vivo evidence that the opioid system may be involved in the neurocircuits associated with individual differences in adult attachment behavior. The results suggest that variation in mu opioid receptor availability may be linked with the individuals' social relationships and psychosocial well-being and thus contributes to risk for psychiatric morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto Turtonen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Aino Saarinen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Research Unit of Psychology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Lauri Nummenmaa
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Lauri Tuominen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Institute of Mental Health Research, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Tikka
- Department of Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Reetta-Liina Armio
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Airi Hautamäki
- Swedish School of Social Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heikki Laurikainen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Olli Raitakari
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Jarmo Hietala
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
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The Mediating Effects of Coping Style on the Effects of Breath Count Mindfulness Training on Depressive Symptoms among International Students in China. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8859251. [PMID: 32908488 PMCID: PMC7474765 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8859251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness training has gained popularity in the scientific field and has been proposed as an efficient way for emotional regulation. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is designed especially for depressive people in reducing risk of depression relapse and is recommended in national guidelines as a treatment choice for relapse prevention in recurrent depression. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of mindfulness training on depressive symptoms of international students and probe into the mediating role of mindfulness in stressful events and depression. In addition, we introduced a new kind of mindfulness training, the breathing exercise-based mindfulness training, which is based on the integration of Buddhism and Daoism. Self-report questionnaires assessing the coping style, abnormal depressive behavior, and stressful live events were completed in 260 international students in China (mean age = 21.4 years). The results showed that (1) many international students showed depression symptoms, (2) stressful life events play a completely mediating role in the initiation of depression and anxiety, and (3) mindfulness training for 8 weeks significantly reduced the depressive symptoms, and it was also related to a positive coping style. This study has certain theoretical significance in exploring the mechanism of the occurrence and development of depression among international students and provides useful tools for this special group of international students. In addition, the international students can also learn Chinese culture through the training. These findings indicate that mindfulness training and positive coping style are interrelated with treating depressive symptoms for international students.
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Boldrini T, Pontillo M, Tanzilli A, Giovanardi G, Di Cicilia G, Salcuni S, Vicari S, Lingiardi V. An attachment perspective on the risk for psychosis: Clinical correlates and the predictive value of attachment patterns and mentalization. Schizophr Res 2020; 222:209-217. [PMID: 32513546 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a longitudinal design, the present study examined: (a) the nature of attachment patterns and reflective functioning (RF) in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR); (b) the association between RF and subclinical psychotic symtoms; and (c) the psychosis-predictive value of attachment patterns, RF, and the interaction between these factors. METHOD The sample comprised 57 UHR subjects and 53 clinical controls (non-UHR). UHR subjects were followed over a mean period of 14 months (SD = 2.7; range 11-19), during which time 11.5% developed psychosis. Attachment patterns and RF were measured. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine the predictive value of variables in the transition to psychosis. RESULTS At baseline, significant differences were found between groups in secure attachment patterns and RF. RF was negatively associated with the attenuated psychotic symptoms described by the Unusual Thought Content/Delusional Ideas, Suspiciousness/Persecutory Ideas, and Disorganized Communication subscales. Moreover, poor mentalization was related to an increased likelihood of developing a psychotic disorder (OR = 0.427, 95% CI [0.188, 0.970]); conversely, no predictive effects of the attachment variables and their interaction with RF on the transition to psychosis were found. Notably, an optimal threshold value of RF = 1.25 was found to distinguish UHR subjects who made the transition to psychosis from those who did not develop this pathology. CONCLUSION The results suggest that aberrant mentalizing patterns can predict the development of psychosis. Clinical implications of these results for the development of preventive treatments are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Boldrini
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185 Rome, Italy; Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Via Venezia, 8, 35131 Padua, Italy.
| | - Maria Pontillo
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00100 Rome, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Tanzilli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Guido Giovanardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185 Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Ellittico, 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Di Cicilia
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Salcuni
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Via Venezia, 8, 35131 Padua, Italy.
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00100 Rome, Italy.
| | - Vittorio Lingiardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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30
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Ciocca G, Rossi R, Collazzoni A, Gorea F, Vallaj B, Stratta P, Longo L, Limoncin E, Mollaioli D, Gibertoni D, Santarnecchi E, Pacitti F, Niolu C, Siracusano A, Jannini EA, Di Lorenzo G. The impact of attachment styles and defense mechanisms on psychological distress in a non-clinical young adult sample: A path analysis. J Affect Disord 2020; 273:384-390. [PMID: 32560933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Insecure attachment styles and immature or neurotic defense mechanisms are related to psychological distress. However, their mutual interaction in influencing psychological distress deserves further investigation. METHODS One-thousand-one-hundred-twenty-nine University students were evaluated using the Global Severity Index of Symptoms Check List 90-Revised for psychological distress, Relationship Questionnaire for attachment styles and Defense Style Questionnaire for defense mechanisms. Following exploratory analyses, a Path Analysis was performed with psychological distress as outcome. RESULTS Fearful and preoccupied attachment styles had a substantial impact on psychological distress. About 30% of their effect was mediated by Immature and Neurotic defenses, with the former having the major effect. Dismissing attachment showed no substantial effect on psychological distress. Secure Attachment and Mature Defenses had a small protective effect on psychological distress, but their inclusion in the path model did not improve overall goodness-of-fit. Attachment style and defense mechanisms accounted for nearly 25% of the variance in psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that attachment styles and defense mechanisms have a substantial impact on psychological distress. The effect of attachment style is mediated by defense mechanisms. Individual differences in attachment style and defense mechanisms represent risk factors for psychological distress in young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Ciocca
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Rossi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Alberto Collazzoni
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Fiorela Gorea
- Catholic University of "Our Lady of Good Council", Tirana, Albania
| | - Blerina Vallaj
- Catholic University of "Our Lady of Good Council", Tirana, Albania
| | - Paolo Stratta
- Department of Mental Health, ASL 01 Avezzano-Sulmona-L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Lucia Longo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Erika Limoncin
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Daniele Mollaioli
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Dino Gibertoni
- DIBINEM Department of Biomedical And Neuromotor Sciences, Unit of Hygiene, Public Health And Biostatistics, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy; Berenson-Allen Center for Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesca Pacitti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy; Catholic University of "Our Lady of Good Council", Tirana, Albania
| | - Cinzia Niolu
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Siracusano
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Di Lorenzo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
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31
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Sideli L, Murray RM, Schimmenti A, Corso M, La Barbera D, Trotta A, Fisher HL. Childhood adversity and psychosis: a systematic review of bio-psycho-social mediators and moderators. Psychol Med 2020; 50:1761-1782. [PMID: 32624020 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720002172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The association between childhood adversity (CA) and psychosis has been extensively investigated in recent years. An increasing body of research has also focused on the mediating or moderating role of biological and psychological mechanisms, as well as other risk factors that might account for the link between CA and psychosis. We conducted a systematic search of the PsychINFO, Embase, Ovid, and Web of Science databases for original articles investigating the role of genetic vulnerabilities, environmental factors, psychological and psychopathological mechanisms in the association between CA and psychosis up to August 2019. We included studies with individuals at different stages of the psychosis continuum, from subclinical psychotic experiences to diagnosed disorders. From the 28 944 records identified, a total of 121 studies were included in this review. Only 26% of the studies identified met the criteria for methodological robustness. Overall, the current evidence suggests that CA may be associated with psychosis largely independently of genetic vulnerabilities. More consistent and robust evidence supports interaction between early and recent adversities, as well as the mediating role of attachment and mood symptoms, which is suggestive of an affective pathway between CA and psychosis across the continuum from subclinical experiences to diagnosable disorder. This review highlighted numerous methodological issues with the existing literature, including selection bias, heterogeneity of measurement instruments utilised, and lack of control for potential confounders. Future research should address these limitations to more accurately estimate mediation and moderation effects on the CA-psychosis association to inform the development of preventive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Sideli
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, UK
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Robin M Murray
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, UK
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Mariangela Corso
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniele La Barbera
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Trotta
- King's College London, Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, UK
- Tony Hillis Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Helen L Fisher
- King's College London, Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, UK
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Impact of attachment imagery on paranoia and mood: evidence from two single case studies. Behav Cogn Psychother 2020; 48:572-583. [DOI: 10.1017/s1352465820000351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
AbstractBackground:Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for psychosis currently yields modest outcomes and must be improved. Attachment imagery may be an effective means of reducing severity of paranoid beliefs and associated affect. Experimental studies have demonstrated these effects in non-clinical groups. The impact in clinical populations remains untested.Aims:This study assessed the impact of a brief attachment imagery task on paranoia and mood, in two people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.Method:Two single case studies are presented. Both participants were working age adults with persecutory delusions. The study utilised an A-B-A design. Participants were recruited for a 6-week period, with a 2- and 3-week baseline respectively, 1-week intervention phase, and follow-up phase matched to duration of baseline. Trait paranoia and attachment were measured at the start of the baseline. State paranoia and affect were measured daily over the 6-week period.Results:For both participants, the baseline phase was characterised by high and variable levels of paranoia, which reduced during the intervention phase, with a return to baseline scores at follow-up. We found a similar pattern for negative affect, and the reverse pattern for positive affect.Conclusions:Attachment imagery may function as an effective emotion regulation strategy for people with psychosis. Continued use is likely to be needed to maintain gains. This brief task could prove valuable to people needing skills to manage paranoia and mood, and give clinicians confidence that people can manage short-term distress in CBT for psychosis, for example when addressing past trauma.
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Coughlan H, Healy C, Ní Sheaghdha Á, Murray G, Humphries N, Clarke M, Cannon M. Early risk and protective factors and young adult outcomes in a longitudinal sample of young people with a history of psychotic-like experiences. Early Interv Psychiatry 2020; 14:307-320. [PMID: 31310453 DOI: 10.1111/eip.12855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIM Psychotic-like experiences (PEs) have been associated with childhood adversity and psychopathology. However, few studies have examined the dynamic interplay between risk and protective factors and later life outcomes in people with PEs. This study aimed to explore and compare patterns of early adverse and protective experiences and young adult outcomes in a sample of young people with a history of PEs. METHOD Longitudinal qualitative data spanning nine years were collected from a general population sample of seventeen young adults who had reported PEs in early adolescence. A qualitative comparative case study design was used to explore patterns of early life experiences and young adult outcomes. RESULTS Four archetypal profiles of early life experiences and later outcomes were identified. Qualitative differences between types of early adverse experiences and the quality of attachment relationships were dominant discriminating factors between low-risk and at-risk archetypes for poor young adult outcomes. Experiences of multiple adversities, which included childhood trauma and occurred in the absence of secure attachment relationships was associated with the poorest young adult outcomes. The presence of secure attachment relationships was protective, even among individuals who had experienced adversity. CONCLUSIONS Not all young people who report PEs have high levels of adversity. Those who experience multiple early adversities, childhood trauma and insecure attachment relationships are at highest risk for reoccurring PEs and poor young adult outcomes. Developing trusted attachment relationships and engaging in corrective experiences may be protective and could promote positive outcomes in youth with PEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Coughlan
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm Healy
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Áine Ní Sheaghdha
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gareth Murray
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh Humphries
- Research Department, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Psychology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Cannon
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Psychiatry, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Murphy R, Goodall K, Woodrow A. The relationship between attachment insecurity and experiences on the paranoia continuum: A meta‐analysis. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 59:290-318. [DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen Goodall
- School of Health in Social Science University of Edinburgh UK
| | - Amanda Woodrow
- School of Health and Social Care Edinburgh Napier University UK
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França G, Laranjeira E, Silva F, Monteiro L, Moreira AM, Carvalho S. Attachment Style and Insight in Schizophrenia: a Cross-Sectional Study. Psychiatr Q 2020; 91:31-43. [PMID: 31768908 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-019-09675-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Attachment theory provides a model for understanding impairments in social and interpersonal functioning. Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatry disorder frequently associated with compromised social functioning and limited social support networks. However, the relationship between attachment style and psychopathology dimensions, including insight, isn't fully understood To determine whether there is a relationship between the attachment style and markers for severity of schizophrenia and insight. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 41 patients with schizophrenia and 34 patients with non-psychotic disorders used as a control group. Patients were assessed using semi-structured diagnostic interviews and self-reporting questionnaires, including Adult Attachment Scale-Revised. The schizophrenia group was also given the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Markova and Berrios Insight Scale. Insecure attachment was overrepresented in the schizophrenic group, and this difference was mainly accounted for lower levels of dependence, representing a moderate effect size (Cohen's d = 0.32). In the schizophrenia group, the closeness and the dependence subscale were negatively correlated with psychopathology severity. Using a multiple regression analysis, the insight was predicted by attachment anxiety, accounting for 20% of the total variance (R2 = 0.199, p <0.05). Our data confirm previous evidence that insecure attachment is associated with schizophrenia and suggest that the less comfortable the patient is with closeness and intimacy the greater the severity of symptoms. Furthermore, our findings indicate that higher separation anxiety might predict a better insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo França
- Adult Psychiatry Department, Hospital de Magalhães Lemos, R. Prof. Álvaro Rodrigues, 4149-003, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Erika Laranjeira
- Center for Economics and Finance, Oporto University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fabio Silva
- Adult Psychiatry Department, Hospital de Magalhães Lemos, R. Prof. Álvaro Rodrigues, 4149-003, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lília Monteiro
- Adult Psychiatry Department, Hospital de Magalhães Lemos, R. Prof. Álvaro Rodrigues, 4149-003, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Maria Moreira
- Adult Psychiatry Department, Hospital de Magalhães Lemos, R. Prof. Álvaro Rodrigues, 4149-003, Porto, Portugal
| | - Serafim Carvalho
- Adult Psychiatry Department, Hospital de Magalhães Lemos, R. Prof. Álvaro Rodrigues, 4149-003, Porto, Portugal
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Marlowe NI, Nicholson Perry K, Lee J. Ontological insecurity II: Relationship to attachment, childhood trauma, and subclinical psychotic-like experiences. J Clin Psychol 2019; 76:440-460. [PMID: 31800105 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine ontological insecurity as a predictor of positive psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) relative to concepts of childhood trauma, parental bonding, and adult attachment style. METHODS A nonclinical sample (N = 298) completed the Ontological Insecurity Scale (OIS-34), a new measure of ontological insecurity, along with measures of the above concepts. RESULTS The OIS-34 accounted for a significantly greater proportion of unique variance in positive PLEs than any other theoretical variable. Anxious and avoidant adult attachment were also strongly associated with positive PLEs, but these relationships were mediated by the OIS-34, ceasing to be significant once this latter variable entered the hierarchical regression equation. CONCLUSIONS The results are consistent with R. D. Laing's theory that ontological insecurity plays a significant role in psychosis. Moreover, the results suggest that this concept may mediate the established relationship between anxious/avoidant adult attachment and positive PLEs. Implications for psychological approaches to clinical psychosis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn Nicholson Perry
- Discipline of Psychological Science, Australian College of Applied Psychology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jacob Lee
- Discipline of Psychological Science, Australian College of Applied Psychology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Hinojosa-Marqués L, Domínguez-Martínez T, Sheinbaum T, Cristóbal-Narváez P, Kwapil TR, Barrantes-Vidal N. Relatives' attachment anxiety mediates the association between perceived loss and expressed emotion in early psychosis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223425. [PMID: 31589647 PMCID: PMC6779271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A common reaction experienced by family members of patients with psychosis is grief for the loss of their healthy relative. Importantly, high levels of perceived loss have been related to the manifestation of high expressed emotion (EE), which includes the negative attitudes expressed by relatives toward an ill family member. However, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between relatives' perceived loss and EE attitudes in the early stages of psychosis are still not fully understood. In this regard, attachment theory has been suggested as a useful framework for understanding this link. The current study aimed to examine: (1) whether relatives' perceived loss was associated with relatives' EE dimensions (i.e., criticism and emotional over-involvement (EOI)), and (2) whether such associations were mediated by relatives' attachment dimensions (i.e., anxiety and avoidance). Seventy-eight relatives of patients with early psychosis completed the Mental Illness Version of the Texas Inventory of Grief for the assessment of loss reactions. Attachment dimensions and EE attitudes were assessed by the Psychosis Attachment Measure and the Family Questionnaire, respectively. Findings indicated that relatives' perceived loss was associated with EE dimensions. Relatives' attachment anxiety, but not avoidance, mediated the relationship of perceived loss with both criticism and EOI. Findings highlight the importance of examining the role of relatives' attachment characteristics for understanding how perceptions of loss might impact the manifestation of EE attitudes in the early stages of psychosis. Family interventions aimed at assisting relatives to improve their management of negative emotional reactions to loss are fundamental to prevent impairing loss reactions and the entrenchment of high-EE attitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lídia Hinojosa-Marqués
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tecelli Domínguez-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Mental Global, Dirección de Investigaciones Epidemiológicas y Psicosociales, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría “Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Tamara Sheinbaum
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Paula Cristóbal-Narváez
- Unitat de Recerca, Docència i Innovació, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, San Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thomas R. Kwapil
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Sant Pere Claver- Fundació Sanitària, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
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38
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Lavin R, Bucci S, Varese F, Berry K. The relationship between insecure attachment and paranoia in psychosis: A systematic literature review. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 59:39-65. [PMID: 31390076 PMCID: PMC7028113 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Paranoia is a key symptom in psychosis and associated with a range of poor outcomes. Earlier life experiences increase vulnerability to paranoid thinking, and attachment theory has been proposed as a key model in explaining this causal pathway. Previous reviews highlight evidence of associations between insecure attachment styles and overall severity of psychotic symptoms. Studies report on associations between insecure attachment and paranoia, but to date, this literature has not been adequately synthesized. The aim of the current review was to report the strength and consistency of associations between paranoia and insecure attachment across published studies, and provide systematic appraisal of study quality. Method We carried out a systematic review of electronic databases using search terms to capture concepts of adult attachment, paranoia, and psychosis. We pre‐registered the review protocol and followed PRISMA guidelines. Results Significant associations were reported in 11 out of 12 studies between an insecure attachment and paranoia, with associations remaining significant in studies that controlled for comorbid symptoms. The strongest, most commonly reported relationship was between an anxious attachment style and paranoia. Conclusions The findings support the proposed role of attachment insecurity in the development and maintenance of paranoia in psychosis and highlight the need to address insecure attachment representations in the treatment of paranoia. Practitioner points There is consistent evidence of associations between insecure attachment style and paranoia. Insecure anxious attachment is more consistently associated with paranoia than an insecure avoidant attachment. Associations between attachment and paranoia remain significant when key confounders are controlled for in the analyses. Interventions that address insecure attachment representations and promote a more secure attachment are likely to help reduce paranoia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Lavin
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Sandra Bucci
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK.,Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit (C-TRU), Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Filippo Varese
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK.,Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit (C-TRU), Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Katherine Berry
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK.,Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit (C-TRU), Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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Abdel-Baki A, Aubin D, Morisseau-Guillot R, Lal S, Dupont MÈ, Bauco P, Shah JL, Joober R, Boksa P, Malla A, Iyer SN. Improving mental health services for homeless youth in downtown Montreal, Canada: Partnership between a local network and ACCESS Esprits ouverts (Open Minds), a National Services Transformation Research Initiative. Early Interv Psychiatry 2019; 13 Suppl 1:20-28. [PMID: 31243907 PMCID: PMC6772090 DOI: 10.1111/eip.12814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM In many parts of the world, there is growing concern about youth homelessness. Homeless youth are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress, substance use and mental disorders, and premature mortality caused by suicide and drug overdose. However, their access to and use of mental health care is very limited. METHODS The Réseau d'intervention de proximité auprès des jeunes (RIPAJ), a Montreal network of over 20 community stakeholders providing a wide array of cohesive services, was created to ease homeless youth's access to mental health and psychosocial services. Its philosophy is that there should be no "wrong door" or "wrong timing" for youth seeking help. In 2014, the network partnered with the pan-Canadian transformational research initiative, ACCESS Esprits ouverts. RESULTS Created through this partnership, ACCESS Esprits ouverts RIPAJ has been promoting early identification through outreach activities targeting homeless youth and agencies that serve them. An ACCESS Clinician was hired to promote and rapidly respond to help-seeking and referrals. By strengthening connections within RIPAJ and using system navigation, the site is working to facilitate youth's access to timely appropriate care and eliminate age-based transitions between services. A notable feature of our program, that is not usually evident in homelessness services, has been the engagement of the youth in service planning and design and the encouragement of contact with families and/or friends. CONCLUSION Challenges remain including eliminating any remaining age-related transitions of care between adolescent and adult services; and the sustainability of services transformation and network coordination. Nonetheless, this program serves as an example of an innovative, much-needed, community-oriented model for improving access to mental health care for homeless youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Abdel-Baki
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,ACCESS Open Minds Réseau d'intervention de proximité pour les jeunes de la rue (RIPAJ), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Diane Aubin
- ACCESS Open Minds Réseau d'intervention de proximité pour les jeunes de la rue (RIPAJ), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Dans la rue, a Bilingual Charitable Youth Multi-Services Organization Serving Homeless Youth, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Raphaël Morisseau-Guillot
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shalini Lal
- ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis (PEPP), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Dupont
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,ACCESS Open Minds Réseau d'intervention de proximité pour les jeunes de la rue (RIPAJ), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pasquale Bauco
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,ACCESS Open Minds Réseau d'intervention de proximité pour les jeunes de la rue (RIPAJ), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jai L Shah
- ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis (PEPP), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ridha Joober
- ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis (PEPP), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Patricia Boksa
- ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ashok Malla
- ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis (PEPP), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Srividya N Iyer
- ACCESS Open Minds (Pan-Canadian Youth Mental Health Services Research Network), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychosis (PEPP), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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40
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Rea S, Dallos R. Good Intentions: Exploring Narratives of Preferred Parenting in Families of a Young Person Who Has Experienced a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP). JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTIVIST PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/10720537.2018.1547993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Rea
- South Hereford Recovery Team, Hereford, England
| | - Rudi Dallos
- School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Plymouth, England
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41
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Attachment style: The neurobiological substrate, interaction with genetics and role in neurodevelopmental disorders risk pathways. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:515-527. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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42
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A voxel-based morphometry study on adult attachment style and affective loss. Neuroscience 2018; 392:219-229. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.06.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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43
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Mapping developmental changes in perceived parent–adolescent relationship quality throughout middle school and high school. Dev Psychopathol 2018; 31:1541-1556. [DOI: 10.1017/s0954579418001219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThis study examined changes in adolescents’ perceived relationship quality with mothers and fathers from middle school to high school, gender differences, and associated mental health consequences using longitudinal data from the New England Study of Suburban Youth cohort (n = 262, 48% female) with annual assessments (Grades 6–12). For both parents, alienation increased, and trust and communication decreased from middle school to high school, with greater changes among girls. Overall, closeness to mothers was higher than with fathers. Girls, compared to boys, perceived more trust and communication and similar levels of alienation with mothers at Grade 6. Girls perceived stronger increases in alienation from both parents and stronger declines in trust with mothers during middle school. Increasing alienation from both parents and less trust with mothers at Grade 6 was associated with higher levels of anxiety at Grade 12. Less trust with both parents at Grade 6 and increasing alienation and decreasing trust with mothers in high school were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms at Grade 12. Overall, girls reported having higher levels of anxiety at Grade 12 compared to boys. Findings on the course of the quality of parent–adolescent relationships over time are discussed in terms of implications for more targeted research and interventions.
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44
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Haahr UH, Larsen TK, Simonsen E, Rund BR, Joa I, Rossberg JI, Johannessen JO, Langeveld J, Evensen J, Trauelsen AMH, Vaglum P, Opjordsmoen S, Hegelstad WTV, Friis S, McGlashan T, Melle I. Relation between premorbid adjustment, duration of untreated psychosis and close interpersonal trauma in first-episode psychosis. Early Interv Psychiatry 2018; 12:316-323. [PMID: 26800653 DOI: 10.1111/eip.12315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
AIM Interpersonal traumas are highly prevalent in patients with psychotic disorders. Trauma caused by those close to the patient might have a more profound impact than other types of trauma and may influence early life social functioning. The aim is to investigate the associations between different types of trauma, in particular close interpersonal traumas experienced before the age of 18, premorbid factors and baseline clinical characteristics in a sample of first-episode psychosis patients. METHODS A total of 191 patients from the 'TIPS' cohort completed assessment with the Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey at their 5 years follow-up interview. RESULTS Half of the patients reported that they had experienced interpersonal trauma and one-third reported having experienced close interpersonal trauma before the age of 18. Women reported more sexual abuse, physical attacks and emotional and physical maltreatment than men. There were significant associations between early interpersonal trauma and premorbid adjustment and duration of untreated psychosis, but no significant associations with length of education, comorbid substance use or baseline clinical symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS Close interpersonal trauma before the age of 18 is associated with poorer premorbid adjustment and a longer duration of untreated psychosis. This may indicate that traumatic experiences delay help-seeking behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrik Helt Haahr
- Early Psychosis Intervention Center, Psychiatry East, Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tor Ketil Larsen
- Regional Centre for Clinical Research in Psychosis, Division of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Section Psychiatry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Erik Simonsen
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bjørn Rishovd Rund
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Research, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway
| | - Inge Joa
- Regional Centre for Clinical Research in Psychosis, Division of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Jan Ivar Rossberg
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Olav Johannessen
- Regional Centre for Clinical Research in Psychosis, Division of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Johannes Langeveld
- Regional Centre for Clinical Research in Psychosis, Division of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Julie Evensen
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Marie Hyldgaard Trauelsen
- Early Psychosis Intervention Center, Psychiatry East, Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark.,Psychiatry South, Region Zealand, Vordingborg, Denmark
| | - Per Vaglum
- Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stein Opjordsmoen
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wenche Ten Velden Hegelstad
- Regional Centre for Clinical Research in Psychosis, Division of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Svein Friis
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thomas McGlashan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ingrid Melle
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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45
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Fornells-Ambrojo M, Pocock P, Mintah R, Barker C, Craig T, Lappin JM. Co-morbid personality disorder in early intervention psychosis clients is associated with greater key worker emotional involvement. Early Interv Psychiatry 2018; 12:143-152. [PMID: 26552836 DOI: 10.1111/eip.12286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM Co-morbid personality disorder (PD) is associated with poorer outcomes in psychosis patients, but it is not known whether these patterns are present at illness onset. This study investigated the prevalence of co-morbid PD in clients of an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIPS) and compared key worker engagement and service use between patients with and without co-morbid PD. METHOD Forty-nine participants were recruited from an inner London NHS EIPS. The Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) Axis II Disorders was administered to identify whether participants met criteria for a diagnosis of PD. Key workers completed measures investigating the therapeutic relationship and emotional involvement. Data on service use over a 2-year period from the date on which the patient was accepted by the EIPS were collected from electronic clinical records. Service use and key worker informed data were collected blind to PD diagnosis. RESULTS Twenty-two of the 49 (45%) patients met criteria for co-morbid PD. Keyworker worry and tension were significantly higher in relation to patients with co-morbid PD compared with those without. There were no significant differences between groups in appointments offered or attended, but patients with co-morbid PD were significantly less likely to be admitted to hospital than those without. CONCLUSIONS Co-morbid PD is common in EIPS patients. The EIPS model is both assertive and intensive; although this appears to be effective in preventing hospital admissions, this does not equip professionals to manage the higher emotional burden associated with a co-morbid PD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Fornells-Ambrojo
- Research Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK.,Southwark Team for Early Intervention in Psychosis, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Phil Pocock
- Research Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ruth Mintah
- Southwark Team for Early Intervention in Psychosis, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Chris Barker
- Research Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Craig
- Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Julia M Lappin
- Southwark Team for Early Intervention in Psychosis, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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46
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Berry K, Drake R. Attachment theory in psychiatric rehabilitation: informing clinical practice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1192/apt.bp.109.006809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
SummaryThis article highlights the relevance of attachment theory for psychiatric rehabilitation services and discusses practice implications derived from the theory. Attachment theory can guide the development of interpersonal relationships during recovery and this aspect of rehabilitation is emphasised here. Attachment theory can also be used to help staff predict and understand problematic behaviours such as violence and aggression, and different styles of recovery. The theory can help promote positive staff–service-user relationships by highlighting the qualities of effective caregivers and the way in which people with different attachment styles might benefit from different approaches. We conclude by suggesting ways of teaching rehabilitation staff to become more effective attachment figures.
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47
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Carr SC, Hardy A, Fornells-Ambrojo M. Relationship between attachment style and symptom severity across the psychosis spectrum: A meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev 2017; 59:145-158. [PMID: 29229220 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
There is growing evidence for the role of attachment in psychosis, however, to date there has been no quantitative review of the prevalence of insecure attachment in psychosis. The current study sought to systematically appraise studies investigating the prevalence of insecure attachment and the association with psychosis-spectrum experiences using meta-analytic techniques. A systematic search of studies carried out between January 1980 and 30th November 2015 found 25 papers eligible for inclusion. The meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of insecure attachment style was significantly higher in individuals with psychosis (76%) than in non-clinical samples (38%), with fearful attachment being the most prevalent. Across the continuum, there was a small but significant relationship between positive symptom severity and insecure attachment and a significant relationship between negative symptom severity and insecure attachment in the non-clinical analysis. This relationship was not found in the clinical group. The prevalence of insecure attachment appears to be high in psychosis, however, the relationship between symptom severity and attachment is small. Attachment theory may provide greater understanding of the development of positive symptoms than previously thought, however, research needs to include more at-risk samples and longitudinal research to fully understand the dynamics of this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Christina Carr
- Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College London, 4th Floor, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK.
| | - Amy Hardy
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, Henry Wellcome Building, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Miriam Fornells-Ambrojo
- Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College London, 4th Floor, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK
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48
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Hart JR, Venta A, Sharp C. Attachment and thought problems in an adolescent inpatient sample: The mediational role of theory of mind. Compr Psychiatry 2017; 78:38-47. [PMID: 28803040 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has documented increased incidence of insecure attachment and theory of mind (ToM) deficits in individuals experiencing psychotic disorders. ToM has been theorized as a possible mediator of the relation between attachment and psychosis (Korver-Nieberg et al., 2014). The current study sought to extend this area of research to adolescents for the first time by examining adolescent-parent attachment and ToM in inpatient adolescents. METHODS Participants were 362 inpatient adolescents and their parents; participants completed the Child Attachment Interview, Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition, Youth Self Report, and Child Behavior Checklist. RESULTS Bivariate correlations indicated that attachment coherence (a marker of security) was significantly and positively correlated with ToM abilities, and that low attachment coherence and poor ToM performance were each associated with increased youth- and parent-reported thought problems. Mediational models indicated that ToM mediated the relation between insecure attachment and thought problems according to both parent- and self-report. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study provide support for a model in which impairments in ToM contribute to the frequently documented association between insecure attachment and emerging psychotic symptoms. Theoretical and clinical implications of these results are discussed, including the potential support for ToM-based interventions for early psychotic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Hart
- Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Campus Box 2447, Huntsville, TX 77341-2447, USA.
| | - Amanda Venta
- Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Campus Box 2447, Huntsville, TX 77341-2447, USA.
| | - Carla Sharp
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 4811 Calhoun Rd., Room 373, Houston, TX 77204, USA.
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Akün E. Relations among adults' remembrances of parental acceptance-rejection in childhood, self-reported psychological adjustment, and adult psychopathology. Compr Psychiatry 2017; 77:27-37. [PMID: 28551411 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of the study was to examine relationships among recollections of maternal and paternal acceptance-rejection in childhood and the level of psychological adjustment among adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, social anxiety, and nonclinical control. The study focused primarily on adults with schizophrenia and social anxiety in comparison to nonclinical adults. METHODS Fifty-three adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, 51 adults with self-reported social anxiety, and 147 nonclinical controls between the ages of 18 and 62 participated in the study. Data were collected using adult versions of the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire for mothers and for fathers, Personality Assessment Questionnaire, Brief Symptom Inventory, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and the Demographic Information Form. RESULTS Findings of analyses showed that participants in the schizophrenia and social anxiety groups remembered having experienced significantly more maternal rejection in childhood than did the nonclinical group. Patient with schizophrenia also reported more recollections of paternal rejection than the nonclinical group. Both clinical groups self-reported more psychological maladjustment than did the nonclinical group. Regression analysis indicated that even though the overall psychological adjustment of adults diagnosed with schizophrenia was predicted by both maternal and paternal acceptance-rejection, psychological adjustment of adults in the social anxiety group was predicted only by maternal (but not paternal) acceptance-rejection. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence about the long-lasting associations between adults' recollections of parental acceptance-rejection in childhood and their psychological adjustment in two mental disorders, in which genetic and environmental factors have a different weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebru Akün
- Department of Psychology, Ankara University Faculty of Letters, Turkey.
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50
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Abstract
AbstractAttachment theory may develop understanding of the occurrence and maintenance of persecutory delusions. This study investigates the role of dispositional attachment and contextually primed secure base attachment representations in the occurrence of paranoid thinking. Sixty participants were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: a secure attachment priming condition, a positive affect condition, or a neutral control condition. Following priming, all participants were exposed to a paranoia induction. State paranoia was measured at baseline and following the paranoia induction. Dispositional insecure attachment was associated with both trait and state paranoid thinking. Contrary to predictions, the secure attachment prime did not appear to buffer paranoid thinking and had a negative impact for participants with high levels of attachment anxiety, highlighting the potentially aversive effects of exposure to secure attachment material in those with existing insecure attachment styles.
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