Relationship between attachment style, parental bonding and alexithymia in adults with somatoform disorders.
BACKGROUND
This study examines the relationship between parental bonding, adult attachment, and alexithymia in patients with Somatoform Disorders (SFD). There are few empirical studies to support the clinical hypothesis that alexithymia may be due to disturbances in the early parent-child relationship.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, data from 76 patients with SFD were obtained, consisting of questionnaire measures of alexithymia (TAS scale), attachment style (BFKE), and also the German version of the MOPS (Measure of Parental Style), the FDEB scale for measuring perceived parental attitude.


RESULTS
A higher than average prevalence of insecure attachment (n = 67, 88.2%) was found in our sample with SFD and a T-value of 54.3 (9.5) in the TAS total score, 22% reaching clinically significant alexithymia. Regression analyses demonstrated the relationship between the "ambivalent clinging" and "ambivalent withdrawing" attachment style and more marked alexithymia features. Furthermore, alexithymia was positively predicted by "indifference" in the relationship to the father, BDI, and Global severity index (SCL-90-R).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study support the hypothesis that alexithymia is associated with perceived parental bonding and attachment style.
Pedrosa Gil
Francisco
F
Psychosomatic Out-Patient Clinic, Department of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany. f.pedrosa.gil@inntalklinik.de
Scheidt
Carl Eduard
CE
Hoeger
Diether
D
Nickel
Marius
M
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*