title: Comparison of patterns and strength of adult attachment in patients with Axis I, Axis I+II disorders and a community sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adult attachment patterns influence the quality of close relationships, and they are therefore important for treatment planning in psychiatry.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study compares the patterns and strength of adult attachment in patients with Axis I, Axis I+II disorders and individuals of a general population sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were recruited from a psychiatric outpatient clinic, 72 with Axis I disorders and 72 with Axis I+II disorders. The patients and a normative community sample (n = 437) filled in the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of insecure attachment differed significantly between all groups: 40% in the community sample, 64% in the Axis I group and 90% in the Axis I+II group. On the dimensional anxiety and avoidance subscales, a similar significant gradient was observed related to the strength of attachment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A definite gradient was observed concerning patterns and strength of attachment in relation to the severity of psychopathology.
authors: Ingrid Olssøn, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry, Innlandet Hospital Trust , N-2318 Hamar , Norway.
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Olssøn
authors: Alv A
authors: AA
authors: Dahl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D009769:Object Attachment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adult attachment patterns; Axis I; Axis II; Community sample; Self-report