Attachment organization in Vietnam combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Attachment organization in a combat-related PTSD sample was investigated and compared with previously published clinical and non-clinical samples. The association between insecure attachment and unresolved mourning classification (U-loss) and between U-loss and PTSD symptoms was investigated. Vietnam combat veterans diagnosed with PTSD and in treatment (N = 48) were administered the Adult Attachment Interview, the SCID-IV, and CAPS. The PTSD sample was like non-clinical samples in the incidence of secure attachment (50%), but were more commonly unresolved. Veterans with insecure attachment organizations were more likely than those with secure attachment to be classified U-loss. U-loss classification was associated with greater likelihood of comorbid anxiety disorders and PTSD avoidance/numbing symptoms. The results suggest that while insecure attachment organization is associated with unresolved mourning in response to loss, it is not differentially associated with combat-related PTSD. The relationship between U-loss and PTSD is discussed in light of current literature.
Nye
Ella C
EC
Behavioral Health Care Line, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, USA. Ella.nye@va.gov
Katzman
Jeffrey
J
Bell
Jordan B
JB
Kilpatrick
Julie
J
Brainard
Marythelma
M
Haaland
Kathleen Y
KY
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D001601:Bereavement; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D047829:Vietnam Conflict