The effects of attachment style and security priming on the perception of others’ pain

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangu Pan ◽  
Dajun Zhang ◽  
Yanling Liu ◽  
Guangming Ran ◽  
Zhaojun Teng
Keyword(s):  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Priming Paradigm ◽  
Perceived Pain ◽  
Preoccupied Attachment

Abundant evidence has demonstrated a relationship between adult attachment and the experience of one’s own pain. However, few studies have investigated the associations between adult attachment and perception of others’ pain. The current studies examined the effects of attachment style and security priming on the perception of others’ pain. In Study 1, we explored the influence of avoidant and anxious attachment styles on the perception of pain in pictures representing pain or no pain. The results indicated that individuals high on anxiety and low on avoidance (i.e., preoccupied attachment style) reported more pain intensity and unpleasantness for painful pictures; individuals high on both anxiety and avoidance (i.e., fearful attachment style) reported less pain intensity for painful pictures. In Study 2, we examined the effects of security priming and attachment style on the perception of pain in pictures representing pain or no pain by adopting a security priming paradigm. The results suggested that security priming attenuated perceived pain intensity for painful pictures for individuals with high attachment anxiety. In Study 3, we used another well-validated security priming paradigm; results indicated that security priming reduced perceived pain intensity for pain pictures among individuals high on anxiety and low on avoidance (i.e., preoccupied attachment style) but increased perceived pain intensity for painful pictures among individuals high on both anxiety and avoidance (i.e., fearful attachment style). Directions for future research, clinical implications, and limitations of the present studies are discussed.

scholarly journals Individual Differences in Work-Related Well-Being: The Role of Attachment Style

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 694-711
Author(s):  
Tiziana Lanciano ◽  
Vanda Lucia Zammuner
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Job Involvement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Dispositional Trait

Integrating theories of adult attachment and well-being at the workplace, the present study tested the role of attachment style in predicting work-related well-being in terms of job satisfaction and job involvement, over and above dispositional trait measures (emotional traits and work-related traits). A sample of workers took part in a correlational study that explored the relationships among a) adult attachment, b) emotional traits, c) work-related traits, and d) work-related well-being indices. The results showed that both secure and anxious attachment style explained workers’ job involvement, whereas the secure and avoidant attachment styles explained workers’ job satisfaction. The current findings thus confirm and expand the literature's emphasis on studying the variables and processes that underlie people's mental health in the work setting, and have implications for assessing and promoting well-being in the workplace.

Attachment style and salivary cortisol awakening response in eating disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S162-S162
Author(s):  
F. De Riso ◽  
R. Giugliano ◽  
A.M. Monteleone ◽  
M. Nigro ◽  
F. Pellegrino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Cortisol Awakening Response ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Anxious Group ◽  
Hpa Axis Functioning

IntroductionEarly life experiences can influence hypotalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation and adult attachment styles. Furthermore, several studies showed that in patients with eating disorders (EDs) there is a prevalence of insecure attachment. However, the relationship between adult attachment style, HPA axis functioning and onset of EDs is largely unknown.Objectives and aimsIn order to evaluate possible associations between attachment styles and HPA axis functioning in EDs, we investigated Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) in ED patients with different attachment styles.MethodsTwenty adult patients with EDs were classified in three groups, according to the Experience in Close Relationship questionnaire (6 with secure attachment, 6 with anxious attachment and 8 with avoidant attachment). Saliva samples were collected at awakening and 15, 30 and 60 minutes after.ResultsThere was a significant difference among the groups in both awakening and post-awakening cortisol concentrations. In particular, compared to secure and avoidant groups, the anxious group exhibited lower cortisol concentrations at awakening and post-awakening with a preservation of the timing of the CAR.DiscussionPresent findings demonstrate that anxious attachment style is linked to flattened CAR in EDs. This pattern has been associated with other psychiatric disorders. Therefore, attachment style could influence the HPA functioning and it could play, although not specifically, a role in pathophysiology of EDs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Adult Attachment, Social Support, and Depression Level of Poststroke Patients

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1341-1351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonggui Li ◽  
Jia Li ◽  
Qiyan Dai
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Depression Level ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
The Relationship

This study investigated the relationship between adult attachment, social support, and depression of post-stroke patients. A total of 100 post-stroke patients were recruited to complete 4 questionnaires, which include 2 widely used measurements of adult attachment – the Relationship Questionnaire (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991) and the Experiences of Close Relationships Inventory (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998) – to measure patients' attachment style, the Social Support Inventory (Xiao, 1994) measuring four aspects of social support, and the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1967) measuring their depression level. The results suggested that patients differ in adult attachment styles and varied significantly in all indices of social support and depression. Secure subjects got higher scores in social support and lower scores of depression. Their depression level had significant positive correlations with attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety, and was negatively correlated to all indices of social support. Furthermore, both attachment-anxiety and subjective social support can predicate the depression level of poststroke patients.

scholarly journals Sensitivity to Affective Touch Depends on Adult Attachment Style

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Krahé ◽  
Mariana von Mohr ◽  
Antje Gentsch ◽  
Lisette Guy ◽  
Chiara Vari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Adult Attachment Interview ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Affective Touch ◽  
Standard Assessment ◽  
Explicit Representations

AbstractAffective touch supports affiliative bonds and social cognition. However, it remains unknown whether pre-existing models of social relating influence the perception of affective touch. Here, we present the first study (N=44) to examine how individual differences in attachment styles relate to the perception of affective touch, as well as to a different non-social modality of interoception, namely cardiac perceived accuracy. Using the gold standard assessment of adult attachment (Adult Attachment Interview), we found that insecure attachment was associated with reduced pleasantness discrimination between affective vs. non-affective, neutral touch. Acknowledging the different traditions in measuring attachment, we also used a well-validated self-report questionnaire that pertains to explicit representations of current close relationships. Using this measure, we found that higher scores on an attachment anxiety dimension (but not an attachment avoidance) were associated with reduced pleasantness discrimination between affective vs. non-affective, neutral touch. Attachment patterns (in both measures) were not related to cardiac perception accuracy. These results corroborate and extend previous literature on the affectivity of touch and its relation with affiliative bonds and social cognition. Given that attachment was not related to perceived cardiac accuracy, these findings point to the specificity of the relationship between affective touch and attachment.

scholarly journals Communication modes during romantic dissolution: The impact of attachment and intimacy on initiator breakup strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-103
Author(s):  
William Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Emotional Intimacy ◽  
Pair Bonds ◽  
The Impact

A majority of romantic pair-bonds will not remain together. Surprisingly, however, less is known about relationship dissolution compared with other stages of romantic relationships, such as initiation and maintenance. The present study addresses this gap by investigating breakup initiators’ communication strategies as outcomes for the individual’s attachment style and the emotional intimacy of a recent terminated romantic relationship. Participants (N = 174) completed a series of empirically reliable and valid Likert-scale measures to assess both predictors: (a) adult attachment and (b) emotional intimacy. Emotional intimacy was a significant predictor of each of the four breakup communication strategies, and adult attachment style – particularly attachment anxiety - was significantly related to specific communication strategies, primarily those related to openness. This researcher concluded that emotional intimacy better predictors of breakup communication strategy compared with attachment style. Limitations and a general discussion or summary of findings are provided, followed by some suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals Exploring How UK Adults' Attachment Style in Romantic Relationships Affects Engagement in Controlling Behaviours

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly C. Gilbert ◽  
Robert Blakey
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Anxious Attachment

Copious studies have identified a link between disorganised attachment and engagement in controlling caregiving or controlling punitive behaviours. Studies have suggested that consistently engaging in these behaviours can cause difficulties within relationships and contribute to the development of a personality disorder. Most of the literature thus far has focused on engagement in controlling behaviours by children with a disorganised attachment style, despite there being theoretical grounds to suggest they may also be used by adults and across all types of insecure attachment. This study aimed to address these gaps by looking at adult attachment style and engagement in controlling behaviours in romantic relationships, across all insecure attachment styles; avoidant, anxious and disorganised. The current study recruited a non-clinical sample; specifically, 149 English-speaking adults, living in the UK, between the ages of 18 and 77 years old (M = 34.28, SD = 14.90). The participants answered an anonymous online questionnaire containing four self-report measures which assessed the participants' attachment security and organisation, caregiving style and engagement in punitive behaviours. The results indicated that participants who scored higher in disorganised attachment were more likely to use controlling punitive behaviours in their romantic relationships. Moreover, participants who reported a more insecure-anxious attachment style were more likely to use compulsive caregiving behaviours in their romantic relationships. In contrast, participants who reported a higher insecure avoidant attachment style were less likely to use compulsive caregiving behaviours in their romantic relationships. These results have implications for adult attachment theory and aid the understanding of some of the behaviours that can be harmful within romantic relationships. The findings could be used to help at-risk individuals develop healthy interpersonal relationship going forward.

scholarly journals The Influence of Family Structure and Adult Attachment Style on Theft Behaviors in Men: a Case-Control Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Wang ◽  
Jiajun Xu
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Family Structure ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Criminal Records ◽  
Adult Attachment Style ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Preoccupied Attachment

Abstract Background: Theft has leaded to significant costs to commerce and legal system, but its psychological mechanisms and risk factors are barely explored. This study aims to investigate the influence of family structure and adult attachment style on theft behaviors in men. Methods: 257 men with a conviction for theft (theft group) and 405 male college students (control group) were interviewed with Experiences in Close Relationships Scale and a general questionnaire about socio-demographic information, family structure and criminal records. Results: Compared with control group, long-term residency, family economic situation, number of siblings, father’s presence before 5 years old, parents’ state of existence and parents’ marital status of theft group were significantly different (P<0.05). Living in urban area, from relatively poor family, not living with father before 5 years old and parents not divorced increased the likelihood of theft in men (P<0.05). While father not alive and having no siblings decreased the likelihood of theft in men (P<0.05). Then theft group was further divided into first offender group and recidivist group. First offender group had a significantly higher proportion of living with mother/father before 5 years old and father alive than recidivist group (P<0.05). Not living with mother before 5 years old and father not alive increased the possibility of multiple thefts, while preoccupied attachment decreased such possibility (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study suggested that risk factors for theft and multiple thefts were different. A variety of targeted strategies related to family structure and attachment styles are needed to prevent theft from occurring and reoccurring.

scholarly journals 546 - Attachment, loneliness, and depression among residents in long-term care (LTC) homes

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 88-89
Author(s):  
Suthikarn Arunrasameesopa ◽  
Tinakon Wongpakaran ◽  
Nahathai Wongpakaran
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Mean

Background:Little is known regarding attachment styles among residents in long-term care homes and the relationship with depression and lonelinessResearch Objective:The study evaluated the distribution of attachment among residents in long-term care (LTC) homes and identified their association with depression and loneliness.Method:This study involved 132 residents in LTC homes in Thailand. All of them were cognitively intact based on Mini-Cog. The Thai version of the Experiences of Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire (ECR-R-18), the Relationships Questionnaire (RQ) were used to assess attachment. The Thai version of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-6) and the 6-item Revised version of The University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (RULS-6) were completed.Preliminary results of the ongoing study:Participants included 85 females (64.4%) with mean age 74.89 (SD 7.89) years. The mean number of years of education was 6.81(SD 4.46) years. Most of the attachment styles were insecure (60.7%). The distribution of attachment style was 39.4% for secure, 15.2% for fearful, 16.7% for preoccupied, and 28.8% for dismissing. The mean score of attachment- anxiety was 3.58 and of attachment-avoidance was 3.61. Mean GDS score was 1.17 (SD 1.58), while depression based on the GDS cut-off was found in 31.1% of the residents. Mean RULS score was 2.36 (SD 0.75). Factors associated with Depression includes male (c2= 4.50, p <.05), anxious attachment (t = 3.51, p = 0.001) and loneliness (t = 4.90, p <0.001). Anxious attachment was associated with loneliness (p <0.001) and depression score (p <0.001), while avoidant attachment was not.Conclusion:The majority attachment style among residents in LTC homes is insecure attachment, with dismissing style the most prevalent. Attachment with high anxiety i.e., preoccupied, and fearful was associated with loneliness and depression.

Attachment anxiety in mentoring: the role of commitment

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura F. Poteat ◽  
Kristen M. Shockley ◽  
Tammy D. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Academic Mentoring ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of commitment in the relationship between protégés’ anxious attachment styles and feedback behaviors of both mentors and protégés. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 100 academic protégé-mentor dyads, and reports from both members of the mentoring relationships were used to test hypotheses. Findings – The results suggested that protégé perceptions of mentor commitment and self-reported protégé commitment mediated the relationships between protégé anxious attachment style and protégé feedback seeking and feedback acceptance. Additionally, mentor perceptions of protégé commitment played an important role, mediating the relationships between protégé anxious attachment and quality and quantity of mentor feedback. Research limitations/implications – Taken together, the results reveal the important role of perceptions of partner commitment in high-quality mentoring behaviors. Originality/value – This study was among the first to examine feedback and commitment in academic mentoring relationships, particularly taking into account commitment of each member of the dyad as well as their perceptions of the other person’s commitment.

scholarly journals Variables Associated with Loneliness: Schema Domains, Attachment and Love Attitudes

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (19) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Model Test ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Adult Attachment Styles ◽  
Love Attitudes ◽  
High Level

The aim of the present study is to examine whether the participants with low and high level of loneliness differ in terms of schema domains, adult attachment styles and love attitudes. Examining the mediator role of adult attachment styles and love attitudes between schema domains and loneliness is another aim of the study. The sample of this study consists of 231 participants (160 female, 71 male) between the ages of 17-51. The participants were given Demographic Information Form, along with UCLA Loneliness Scale, Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale and Love Attitudes Scale. The obtained data were evaluated by t-test, Pearson correlation analysis and model test (Bootstrap). According to the results, participants with low and high level of loneliness differed significantly in terms of schema domains (disconection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, other directedness and overvigiliance and inhibition), adult attachment styles (anxious and avodiance) and love attitudes (Eros, Ludus and Mania). In model test results of the analysis, anxious attachment style mediates the relationship between other directedness schema domain and loneliness. It was concluded that individuals who have high scores in the other directedness schema domain have high Mania love attitudes and anxious attachment scores, and this situation increased the loneliness of the individuals. The findings are important in understanding the variables that may be associated with loneliness, which is common in society and creates problems in individuals' lives. Keywords: Loneliness, early maladaptive schemas, attachment style, love attitudes

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