title: Attachment styles and symptoms in individuals with psychosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The capacity to manage affects is rooted in early interactions with caregivers, which in adulthood are internalized as different attachment styles. Few studies have explored associations between all four attachment styles and symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to investigate the relations between the four attachment styles and psychological distress in a group of people with psychosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, associations between self-reported attachment style and symptoms in a psychosis group were explored. Attachment styles were measured with the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) and symptoms were assessed with the revised version of the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90R) RESULTS: The analyses showed a significant positive association between preoccupied attachment and the severity of symptoms. Furthermore, the analyses indicated significant positive associations between preoccupied attachment and the subscales measuring depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia and psychoticism. We also found significant positive associations between fearful attachment and both interpersonal sensitivity and psychoticism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The associations between attachment styles and symptoms found here are consistent with those of previous studies. It could be important for clinicians to identify patients' attachment styles. Such knowledge would help mental health professionals to understand better the patients' capacity to handle distress and help professionals to address interventions aiming to target each patient's specific needs.
authors: Jennifer Strand, Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg , PO Box 500, S-405 30 Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Strand
authors: Anneli
authors: A
authors: Goulding
authors: Inga
authors: I
authors: Tidefors
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Attachment styles; Psychosis; Symptoms