The association between attachment style, social mentalities, and paranoid ideation: an analogue study.
OBJECTIVE
The study was a novel exploration of possible associations between attachment status and psychotic phenomenology, applied within a social mentality framework (Gilbert, 1989, 2001). We hypothesized that attachment avoidance would be associated with higher endorsement of paranoid ideation. Consistent with social mentality theory, we hypothesized that higher levels of interpersonal problems would also be associated with higher paranoia scores and greater attachment avoidance.


METHODS
An analogue cross-sectional cohort design was used.


METHODS
Two hundred and thirteen individuals completed self-report measures of current attachment style, interpersonal problems, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, depression, and anxiety.


RESULTS
Confirmatory factor analysis of the attachment measure suggested a two-factor structure: attachment anxiety and avoidance. Covariance modelling suggested both attachment and a strategy of interpersonal distancing predicted paranoia. Hallucinatory phenomena were predicted by latent constructs representing interpersonal dependence and avoidance strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings confirmed a two-factor dimensional model was the optimum model for attachment self-report data. The interaction of attachment theory and social mentalities appears to be a promising framework for exploring developmental aspects of psychotic phenomenology.
MacBeth
Angus
A
Section of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow, UK. angus.macbeth@googlemail.com
Schwannauer
Matthias
M
Gumley
Andrew
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010259:Paranoid Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012929:Psychological Distance; D019962:Reactive Attachment Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment