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Evans HE, Sansom-Daly UM, Bryant RA. Attachment as a mechanism influencing end-of-life communication: An analogue investigation. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303652. [PMID: 39083512 PMCID: PMC11290637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Talking about dying when faced with end-of-life may be important for achieving optimal outcomes for young people and their families. Given the lack of research on young people's communication around end-of-life and death, this analogue study examined the role of attachment theory in conversations about dying. Experiment 1 assessed attachment security of 80 healthy young adults and randomised them to receive either an induction that raised awareness of one's attachment figures or a neutral induction, and then primed them with an imagined scenario where they were diagnosed with an incurable illness. Participants then completed a self-report measure of their willingness to discuss end-of-life topics with family, friends, or a psychologist. The experimental attachment induction did not increase willingness to talk about end-of-life concepts. Experiment 2 extended this design and asked participants to describe these conversations and assessed the content of their imagined end-of-life conversations. Experiment 2 replicated the finding that enhancing individuals' awareness of key attachment figures did not increase participants' willingness to engage in end-of-life conversations. However, heightened attachment awareness led participants to talk more about their relationship with the person they were hypothetically talking with. Across both experiments, avoidant attachment tendencies reduced the likelihood that participants receiving the attachment prime would want to engage in end-of-life conversation. Overall, it seems there are important differences between individuals on willingness to talk about death, and this may be influenced by one's attachment style. These results raise implications for the importance of attachment in the therapeutic relationship for healthcare professionals working with young people with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer. Further research may shed light on how an individually tailored approach, taking into account attachment security, achieves the best outcomes for individuals who require end-of-life conversations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly E Evans
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, Discipline of Paediatrics, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ursula M Sansom-Daly
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, Discipline of Paediatrics, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Youth Cancer Service, Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard A Bryant
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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2
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Bryant RA. Attachment processes in posttraumatic stress disorder: A review of mechanisms to advance theories and treatments. Clin Psychol Rev 2023; 99:102228. [PMID: 36493729 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Current conceptualisations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are driven by biological, learning, and cognitive models that have shaped current treatments of the disorder. The strong influence of these models has resulted in a relative neglect of social mechanisms that can influence traumatic stress. There is abundant evidence from experimental, observational, and clinical studies that social factors can moderate many of the mechanisms articulated in prevailing models of PTSD. In this review it is proposed that attachment theory provides a useful framework to complement existing models of PTSD because it provides explanatory value for social factors can interact with biological, learning, and cognitive processes that shape traumatic stress response. The review provides an overview of attachment theory in the context of traumatic stress, outlines the evidence for how attachment factors can moderate stress responses and PTSD, and considers how harnessing attachment processes may augment recovery from and treatment of PTSD. This review emphasizes that rather than conceptualizing attachment theory as an independent theory of traumatic stress, there is much to gain by integrating attachment mechanisms into existing models of PTSD to accommodate the interactions between cognitive, biological, and attachment processes.
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Buchheim A, George C, Gündel H. Editorial: Neuroscience of human attachment volume II. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:1018528. [PMID: 36118974 PMCID: PMC9471664 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1018528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Buchheim
- Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- *Correspondence: Anna Buchheim
| | - Carol George
- Department of Psychology, Mills College, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Harald Gündel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Olsson EMG, Norlund F, Rondung E, Humphries SM, Held C, Lyngå P, Spaak J, Sundin Ö, Sundelin R, Leissner P, Kövamees L, Tornvall P. The e-mental health treatment in Stockholm myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronaries or Takotsubo syndrome study (E-SMINC): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2022; 23:597. [PMID: 35883115 PMCID: PMC9315084 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06530-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the aftermath of a myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) or Takotsubo syndrome (TS), patients commonly express high levels of stress and anxiety. Current treatment alternatives rarely address these issues. METHODS The study is a randomised controlled trial, where 90 patients with a discharge diagnosis of MINOCA or TS who also report symptoms of stress or anxiety will be randomised 2-6 weeks after their cardiac event. The treatment consists of 10 weeks of Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and starts immediately after randomisation for the treatment group. The control group receives usual care. Main outcomes are symptoms of anxiety measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, anxiety subscale, and perceived stress measured with the Perceived Stress Scale, 14-item version, 10 weeks after randomisation. Secondary measures include cardiac specific anxiety, symptoms of post-traumatic stress, quality of life, cortisol measured in hair and physiological stress responses (heart rate variability, blood pressure and saliva cortisol) during a stress procedure. Ten weeks after randomisation, the control group will also receive treatment. Long-term follow-up in the self-report measures mentioned above will be conducted 20 and 50 weeks after randomisation where the total group's development over time is followed, and the groups receiving intervention early versus late compared. DISCUSSION At present, there are no randomised studies evaluating psychological treatment for patients with MINOCA or TS. There is an urgent need for treatment alternatives aiming at relieving stress and anxiety considering the high mental stress and anxiety levels observed in MINOCA and TS, leading to decreased quality of life. CBT aiming at reducing mental stress has been shown to be effective regarding prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease. The current protocol describes a randomised open-label controlled trial evaluating an Internet-based CBT program for reduction of stress and anxiety in patients with increased mental stress and/or anxiety with a discharge diagnosis of either MINOCA or TS. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04178434 . Registered on 26 November 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik M G Olsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Fredrika Norlund
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Rondung
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Sophia M Humphries
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claes Held
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patrik Lyngå
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Cardiology, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Spaak
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Örjan Sundin
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Runa Sundelin
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Cardiology, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philip Leissner
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lena Kövamees
- Swedish Heart and Lung Association, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Tornvall
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Cardiology, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
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Gander M, Karabatsiakis A, Nuderscher K, Bernheim D, Doyen-Waldecker C, Buchheim A. Secure Attachment Representation in Adolescence Buffers Heart-Rate Reactivity in Response to Attachment-Related Stressors. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:806987. [PMID: 35250517 PMCID: PMC8891161 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.806987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, we know very little about the effects of the differences in attachment classifications on the physiological correlates of stress regulation in adolescent age groups. The present study examined for the first time heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) during an attachment interview in adolescents. HR and HRV data were collected during a baseline assessment as well as during the administration of the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) in a community-based sample of 56 adolescents (26 females and 30 males, mean age = 16.05 years [SD = 1.10]). We additionally used the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) in 50% of our sample to test the convergent validity. Adolescents with a secure attachment representation showed a higher HRV from baseline to the AAP interview compared to those with an insecure-dismissing (Ds) and the unresolved group. A comparison between the two insecure attachment groups showed no significant difference related to HR and HRV. Cohen’s Kappa (κ = 0.81) revealed an almost perfect agreement between the AAP and the AAI for the four-group classification. Our results indicate that adolescents with a secure attachment representation are more capable of dealing with attachment-related distress which is represented in higher HRV during an attachment interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gander
- Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- *Correspondence: Manuela Gander,
| | | | | | - Dorothee Bernheim
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Anna Buchheim
- Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Abstract
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is a chronic condition that occurs following a traumatic experience. Information processing models of PTSD focus on integrating situationally triggered sensory-emotional memories with consciously accessible autobiographical memories. Review of the nature of implicit memory supports the view that sensory-emotional memories are implicit in nature. Dissociation was also found to be associated with the development and severity of PTSD, as well as deficits in autobiographical memory. Moreover, disorganized attachment (DA) was associated with greater degrees of dissociation and PTSD, and like the defining neural activation in PTSD, was found to be associated with basal ganglia activity. In addition, subcortical neuroception of safety promotes a neurophysiological substrate supportive of social engagement and inhibition of fear-based responses. Furthermore, activation of representations of co-created imagined scenes of safety and secure attachment are associated with increases in this neurophysiological substrate. Repeated priming of secure attachment imagery was associated with modification of internal working models of DA along with reductions in dissociation and recovery from complex PTSD. In conclusion, it is posited that adequate recovery from extensive trauma experiences requires more than conscious elaboration of traumatic autobiographical memories and that the application of implicit nonconscious memory modification strategies will facilitate more optimal recovery.
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Doolan EL, Bryant RA. Modifying insecure attachment style with cognitive bias modification. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2021; 73:101664. [PMID: 34087690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Attachment theory suggests that internal working models developed from early experiences with attachment figures biases cognitive appraisals a person makes of themselves and others. The current paper investigates whether attachment-related interpretative biases can be altered using Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM-I). METHODS Eighty anxiously attached participants were randomly assigned to receive either secure or insecure CBM-I training. To measure training effects on attachment-related interpretation bias, participants read scenarios involving attachment figures whereby the availability of the attachment figure was undetermined, followed by test sentences that assigned an attachment-secure or -insecure interpretation to the situations. Participants rated the similarity of these sentences to the previously read ambiguous situations. RESULTS Participants who received secure CBM-I training ascribed higher similarity ratings to secure sentence interpretations of ambiguous scenarios compared to insecure sentence interpretations. Attachment anxiety increased after CBM-I training for those who received insecure training, but did not differ for those who received secure training. LIMITATIONS This study was limited to healthy participants and did not include clinical participants. These findings need to be replicated by assessing the effects of CBM-I over an extended period. CONCLUSIONS CBM-I training may provide a viable means of modulating attachment anxiety. If validated with more potent strategies for secure attachment training, this approach could have significant implications for the treatment of affective disorders characterized by insecure attachments.
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Fleury J, Komnenich P, Coon DW, Volk-Craft B. Development of a Nostalgic Remembering Intervention: Feeling Safe in Dyads Receiving Palliative Care for Advanced Heart Failure. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2021; 36:221-228. [PMID: 33181536 PMCID: PMC8041566 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dyads receiving palliative care for advanced heart failure are at risk for the loss of feeling safe, experienced as a fractured sense of coherence, discontinuity in sense of self and relationships, and strained social connections and altered roles. However, few theory-based interventions have addressed feeling safe in this vulnerable population. PURPOSE The purpose of this article is to describe the development of the Nostalgic Remembering Intervention to strengthen feeling safe and promote adaptive physiological and psychological regulation in dyads receiving palliative care for heart failure. CONCLUSIONS Systematic intervention development is essential to understand what, for whom, why, and how an intervention works in producing outcomes. Program theory provided a systematic approach to the development of the Nostalgic Remembering Intervention, including conceptualization of the problem targeted by the intervention, specification of critical inputs and conditions that operationalize the intervention, and understanding the mediating processes leading to expected outcomes. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Creating a foundation for cardiovascular nursing research and practice requires continued, systematic development of theory-based interventions to best meet the needs of dyads receiving palliative care for heart failure. The development of the Nostalgic Remembering Intervention to strengthen feeling safe in dyads provides a novel and relevant approach.
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Karl A, Carnelley KB, Arikan G, Baldwin DS, Heinrichs M, Stopa L. The effect of attachment security priming and oxytocin on physiological responses to trauma films and subsequent intrusions. Behav Res Ther 2021; 141:103845. [PMID: 33780748 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2021.103845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
To further understand protective mechanisms to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder or assist recovery from psychological trauma, this study investigated whether pharmacological and psychological activation of a secure attachment representation elicits higher felt-security and a related response pattern of reduced physiological arousal and increased parasympathetic activation; and whether it protects individuals from developing intrusions and experiencing distress in the week following exposure to a trauma film. Using a double-blind, experimental mixed factorial design, 101 volunteers received either oxytocin or placebo and either secure attachment or neutral priming before watching a trauma film. We measured felt security as an indicator of the strength of activation of a secure attachment representation, skin conductance and heart rate as indicators of physiological arousal, and high frequency heart rate variability as an indicator of parasympathetic activation during the priming and the film. Participants then completed a seven-day intrusion diary. Secure attachment priming, but not oxytocin administration or the combination of both, was associated with reduced physiological arousal and increased parasympathetic activity during priming. Although secure attachment priming was not related to the absolute number of intrusions or to less perceived distress or physiological arousal during the trauma film, it was associated with lower intrusion-related distress in the 7-days post-testing. Our findings extend previous research that suggests the importance of interventions that address intrusion-related distress for recovery from trauma, and suggest a promising role for secure attachment priming in trauma-focused psychological therapies. We contribute to the growing literature that finds that higher subjective distress during a trauma is associated with higher intrusion-related distress. We discuss theoretical implications and possible mechanisms through which secure attachment priming may exert potential beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Karl
- Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
| | | | - Gizem Arikan
- Department of Psychology, Ozyegin University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - David S Baldwin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Lusia Stopa
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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A shy heart may benefit from everyday life social interactions with close others: An ecological momentary assessment trial using Bayesian multilevel modeling. Biol Psychol 2020; 152:107864. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2020.107864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Enhancing the "Broaden and Build" Cycle of Attachment Security in Adulthood: From the Laboratory to Relational Contexts and Societal Systems. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17062054. [PMID: 32244872 PMCID: PMC7143531 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17062054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Attachment theory emphasizes both the importance of the availability of caring, supportive relationship partners, beginning in infancy, for developing a sense of safety and security, and the beneficial effects of this sense of security on psychosocial functioning and physical and mental health. In this article, we briefly review basic concepts of attachment theory, focusing on the core construct of attachment security and present evidence concerning the ways in which this sense can be enhanced in adulthood. Specifically, we review findings from laboratory experiments that have momentarily enhanced the sense of attachment security and examined its effects on emotion regulation, psychological functioning, and prosocial behavior. We then review empirical findings and ideas concerning security enhancement by actual relationship partners, non-human symbolic figures, and societal systems in a wide variety of life domains, such as marital relationships, psychotherapy, education, health and medicine, leadership and management, group interactions, religion, law, and government.
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12
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Heenan A, Greenman PS, Tassé V, Zachariades F, Tulloch H. Traumatic Stress, Attachment Style, and Health Outcomes in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients. Front Psychol 2020; 11:75. [PMID: 32047467 PMCID: PMC6997333 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research on psychosocial risk factors in cardiovascular disease (CVD) has identified traumatic stress and attachment style as independent risk factors for the development of CVD and poor prognosis for those with established CVD. Exploring the interrelationships between these variables will inform psychosocial risk factor modeling and potential avenues for intervention. Therefore, the hypothesis that attachment style is related to health outcomes among CR patients and that traumatic stress mediates this relationship was tested. METHODS Patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program (n = 201) completed validated self-report measures of traumatic stress and attachment style at baseline (program intake). Health outcomes were assessed at baseline and 3 months, including anxiety, depression, quality of life, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and cholesterol (HDL ratio). Multivariate structural equation modeling was used to fit the data. RESULTS Of the 201 participants, 42 (21%) had trauma scores indicating the probable presence of posttraumatic stress disorder. Via greater levels of traumatic stress, greater attachment anxiety at baseline was indirectly related to greater anxiety, depression, fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c, and poorer physical and mental quality of life. There were no significant indirect effects on HDL ratios. CONCLUSION Greater attachment anxiety predicted greater traumatic stress; this, in turn, predicted poorer health outcomes. Screening and treatment for these constructs in CVD patients is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Heenan
- Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Paul S. Greenman
- Département de Psychoéducation et de Psychologie, Universite du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, QC, Canada
- Institut du Savoir Montfort, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vanessa Tassé
- Département de Psychoéducation et de Psychologie, Universite du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, QC, Canada
| | | | - Heather Tulloch
- Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Mikulincer M, Shaver PR. Broaden-and-Build Effects of Contextually Boosting the Sense of Attachment Security in Adulthood. CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0963721419885997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
According to attachment theory, a sense of attachment security provides a foundation for mental health, social adjustment, and psychological thriving. In this article, we review what has been learned from laboratory experiments on the causal effects of contextually boosting a person’s sense of attachment security. We begin with a brief account of attachment theory and the construct of attachment security. We then review findings from laboratory experiments showing that contextual activation of mental representations of attachment security has beneficial effects on emotion regulation, psychological functioning, and prosocial behavior.
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Zingaretti P, Giovanardi G, Cruciani G, Lingiardi V, Ottaviani C, Spitoni GF. Heart rate variability in response to the recall of attachment memories. Attach Hum Dev 2019; 22:643-652. [DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2019.1680712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Zingaretti
- Department of Psychology, PhD program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Giovanardi
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Cruciani
- Department of Psychology, PhD program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Lingiardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Ottaviani
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation (IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia), Rome, Italy
| | - Grazia Fernanda Spitoni
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation (IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia), Rome, Italy
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Kirschner H, Kuyken W, Wright K, Roberts H, Brejcha C, Karl A. Soothing Your Heart and Feeling Connected: A New Experimental Paradigm to Study the Benefits of Self-Compassion. Clin Psychol Sci 2019; 7:545-565. [PMID: 32655984 PMCID: PMC7324152 DOI: 10.1177/2167702618812438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Self-compassion and its cultivation in psychological interventions are associated with improved mental health and well-being. However, the underlying processes for this are not well understood. We randomly assigned 135 participants to study the effect of two short-term self-compassion exercises on self-reported-state mood and psychophysiological responses compared to three control conditions of negative (rumination), neutral, and positive (excitement) valence. Increased self-reported-state self-compassion, affiliative affect, and decreased self-criticism were found after both self-compassion exercises and the positive-excitement condition. However, a psychophysiological response pattern of reduced arousal (reduced heart rate and skin conductance) and increased parasympathetic activation (increased heart rate variability) were unique to the self-compassion conditions. This pattern is associated with effective emotion regulation in times of adversity. As predicted, rumination triggered the opposite pattern across self-report and physiological responses. Furthermore, we found partial evidence that physiological arousal reduction and parasympathetic activation precede the experience of feeling safe and connected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Kirschner
- Mood Disorder Centre, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter.,Institute of Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University
| | - Willem Kuyken
- Mood Disorder Centre, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
| | - Kim Wright
- Mood Disorder Centre, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter
| | - Henrietta Roberts
- Mood Disorder Centre, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter
| | - Claire Brejcha
- Mood Disorder Centre, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter
| | - Anke Karl
- Mood Disorder Centre, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter
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16
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Activating attachment representations during memory retrieval modulates intrusive traumatic memories. Conscious Cogn 2017; 55:197-204. [DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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