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Topino E, Cacioppo M, Dell’Amico S, Gori A. Risk Factors for Love Addiction in a Sample of Young Adult Students: A Multiple Mediation Model Exploring the Role of Adult Attachment, Separation Anxiety, and Defense Mechanisms. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:1222. [PMID: 39767363 PMCID: PMC11673851 DOI: 10.3390/bs14121222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2024] [Revised: 12/09/2024] [Accepted: 12/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025] Open
Abstract
In certain situations, romantic engagement with a partner can have detrimental effects on an individual's well-being and overall health, exhibiting features attributable to addictive behaviors. Considering the clinical significance of this phenomenon and its prevalence among adolescents and young adults, the objective of this study was to investigate the potential associations between some risk factors for love addiction in a sample of university students, with a specific focus on adult attachment, separation anxiety, and defense mechanisms. A total of 332 participants (Mage = 23 years; SD = 2.462) completed a survey consisting of the Love Addiction Inventory-Short Form, Relationship Questionnaire, Seven Domains Addiction Scale (Separation Anxiety domain), and Forty Item Defense Style Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, and a multiple mediation model was also implemented. Results showed that fearful attachment was significantly and positively associated with love addiction. Furthermore, this relationship was mediated by separation anxiety and neurotic/immature defense mechanisms too. These findings contribute to the existing literature on love addiction and provide valuable insights for future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Topino
- Department of Human Sciences, Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta (LUMSA), Via della Traspontina 21, 00193 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Marco Cacioppo
- Department of Human Sciences, Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta (LUMSA), Via della Traspontina 21, 00193 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Shady Dell’Amico
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Pad. 26, 50135 Florence, Italy;
| | - Alessio Gori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Pad. 26, 50135 Florence, Italy;
- Integrated Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Institute (IPPI), Via Ricasoli 32, 50122 Florence, Italy
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Gori A, Topino E, Gioia F, Casale S. Problematic Social Media Use in Young Adults: A Mixed Serial-Parallel Mediation Model Involving Alexithymia, Defense Mechanisms, and Fear of Missing Out. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2024; 27:340-346. [PMID: 38407872 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2023.0386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Problematic social media use (PSMU) can have profound and detrimental effects across various domains of life. As a result, scientific investigations into the risk factors associated with this phenomenon can hold substantial practical implications within the clinical and preventive realms. Consistently with this framework, this study aimed to examine the relationship between certain variables and PSMU, with a specific focus on alexithymia, defense mechanisms, and fear of missing out (FoMO). A sample of 340 young adults (Mage = 26.42 years; SD = 3.689) completed an online survey, including the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, FoMO scale, 40-Item Defense Style Questionnaire, and 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Results showed a statistically significant mixed serial-parallel mediation model. A significant total effect in the association between alexithymia and FoMO emerged. Furthermore, defense mechanisms and FoMO significantly and totally mediated this relationship. These findings have the potential to provide valuable insights in the field of clinical research on PSMU, and can offer practical information for enhancing clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Gori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Topino
- Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Casale
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Allahvirdie Rezaieh S, Ghorbani N, Farahani H. Mediating role of splitting in relation to attachment styles and shopping addiction. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1249591. [PMID: 37854143 PMCID: PMC10581345 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1249591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Shopping can provide a sense of satisfaction and pleasure; however, if a person's excessive involvement in this behavior starts to negatively impact other aspects of their life, similar to other addictive behaviors like excessive internet use, gaming, and gambling, it may be classified as pathological. Given the lack of agreement regarding the classification of excessive shopping tendencies as a separate mental health condition or addictive behavior, taking a socio-emotional approach to explore the psychological factors that precede this behavior, may offer a better comprehension of it. Methods The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between attachment styles and excessive shopping behavior, as well as to investigate the potential mediating effect of defense mechanisms like splitting on this relationship. Using convenience sampling, a group of 457 stock market employees (116 female, 341 male) between the ages of 24 and 60 were recruited. The researchers utilized a set of validated psychological questionnaires to assess the employees attachment styles, shopping addiction, and splitting tendencies. Results The results obtained from both the mediation model and path analysis suggest that attachment styles do not have a direct relationship with shopping addiction. Nonetheless, the study supports the impact of insecure anxious and avoidan attachment styles on splitting. Furthermore, the findings confirm that splitting has a mediating effect on the relationship between attachment styles and splitting. Discussion The present study enhanced our comprehension of the subconscious mechanisms underlying shopping tendencies. Specifically, the findings suggest that excessive tendencies towards shopping can be considered a maladaptive response resulting from insecure attachment styles and the unconscious utilization of the splitting defense mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nima Ghorbani
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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Default defenses: the character defenses of attachment-anxiety and attachment-avoidance. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03919-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Contemporary attachment researchers claim that attachment-anxiety is associated with a hyperactivating defense strategy while attachment-avoidance is associated with a deactivating defense strategy. However, to date, no study has comprehensively examined the basic patterns of specific defense expression in the two dimensions of attachment insecurity (anxiety/avoidance). To address this research gap, the current study aimed to assess the character defenses associated with attachment-avoidance and attachment-anxiety, incorporating a broad spectrum of psychological defenses. The main objective was to understand what differentiates attachment-avoidance and attachment-anxiety in defensive functioning. In this study of online questionnaire design (N = 250), university undergraduates aged between 17 to 65 completed the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR) and the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-60). The results show that the two dimensions of insecure attachment exhibit different defensive patterns. Regarding the main findings, attachment-avoidance uniquely predicted defensive isolation, and attachment-anxiety uniquely predicted the defenses splitting, projective identification, anticipation, acting out, passive-aggression, reaction formation, and undoing. Overall, the results indicate that attachment-anxiety is a significant predictor of global defensive functioning, over and above that of attachment-avoidance. One implication of this study is that the two-dimensional model of adult attachment may offer a promising framework for organizing psychological defenses. We discuss the significance of this concerning the future of the empirical study of psychological defenses. The discussion also considers the clinical application and relevance to attachment-based psychotherapy.
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, O. Omar ZT, Segun E, Evbayekha EO, Abolurin A, Egberuare EO, Ezegbe HC, Adegbosin A, Adedeji AG, Angaye EG, Izundu IC, Oyelade BO. Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Resilience and School Success in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Cureus 2022; 14:e31907. [PMID: 36579285 PMCID: PMC9792122 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders face known academic challenges and poor life outcomes. It was imperative to explore and find if the new diagnostic criterion for diagnosing autism profoundly affects educational outcomes and resilience in individuals diagnosed with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The literature is robust on the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on educational outcomes and resilience in adolescents with no history of disability. Still, there remains a dearth of literature explaining, with no ambiguity, the complex relationships between ACEs and resilience, school engagement, and success in individuals with co-occurring ASD and ADHD. This study reviews the existing scholarships on the topic. The significance of this review is that it informs healthcare providers, rehabilitation counselors, and educators about the need for early identification of individuals with ASD and ADHD with a background in ACEs. This will enable interventions early enough to ensure they are more resilient and can obtain improved success in school-related and outside-school activities and eventually improved quality of life.
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Békés V, Aafjes-van Doorn K, Spina D, Talia A, Starrs CJ, Perry JC. The Relationship Between Defense Mechanisms and Attachment as Measured by Observer-Rated Methods in a Sample of Depressed Patients: A Pilot Study. Front Psychol 2021; 12:648503. [PMID: 34646189 PMCID: PMC8503562 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite many theoretical and clinical writings, the theorized connection between defense mechanisms and adult attachment in depressed patients has received little empirical attention. This is the first study to examine patients’ defense mechanisms in relation to their attachment in a clinical sample of depressed patients and also the first to use observer-rated measures for assessing both defense mechanisms and attachment. In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between patients’ attachment and their use of defense mechanisms in psychotherapy sessions, as well as patterns of change over treatment. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of 30 patients receiving psychotherapy for major depression. Session transcripts were previously coded for defense mechanisms using the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales, and depression severity data were collected by the clinician-rated HRSD-17 and the self-report BDI-II. Patients’ attachment was assessed in two transcripts, one in an early session and a second in a late session, using the novel observer-rated Patient Attachment Coding System. In contrast with expectations, in the early phase of therapy, preoccupied attachment-related characteristics were significantly positively related to overall defensive functioning and negatively related to Depressive immature defenses. In the late phase of treatment, preoccupied attachment-related characteristics were negatively correlated with Non-depressive immature defenses. Moreover, as expected, early-phase defense use was related to late phase attachment; specifically, early neurotic and immature Depressive and Non-depressive defenses predicted an increase in avoidant, whereas immature Non-depressive defenses predicted a decrease in preoccupied attachment-related characteristics over the course of treatment, after controlling for early attachment effects. The results imply a longitudinal relationship between defenses and change in attachment-related characteristics over the course of treatment in a depressed sample and warrant further research about the relationship between defenses and attachment during psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Békés
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Daniel Spina
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Alessandro Talia
- Institute for Psychosocial Prevention, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claire J Starrs
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Potsdam, Potsdam, NY, United States
| | - J Christopher Perry
- Department of Psychiatry, Canada Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Karaarslan C, Eldogan D, Yigit I. Associations between early maladaptive schema domains of parents and their adult children: The role of defence styles. Clin Psychol Psychother 2021; 28:1043-1054. [PMID: 33624909 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although existing research recognized the associations between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) of parents and their adult children, the mechanisms that underpin these associations were not fully understood. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore the role of defence styles (DSs) on the associations between two EMS domains (Disconnection/Rejection and Impaired Autonomy) of parents and their adult children. Two hundred and fifteen families (i.e., mother, father, and their adult children) participated in the study. Both parents and their adult children were asked to complete Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) and Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ) to assess their EMS domains and DSs. According to the results of the current study, there were significant associations between Disconnection/Rejection and Impaired Autonomy EMS domains of parents and their adult children, and these associations were mediated by only immature DS of parents and their adult children in a serial mediation model. These results contributed to our understanding of the associations between EMS domains of parents and their adult children through immature DSs. Moreover, our findings highlighted the importance of synthesizing the concepts of different theories to enhance our understanding of mental representations in families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cemre Karaarslan
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Başkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Dilay Eldogan
- Kavaklıdere Psychological Counseling Center, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Yigit
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, Ankara Medipol University, Ankara, Turkey
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Taurino A, Antonucci LA, Taurisano P, Laera D. Investigating defensive functioning and alexithymia in substance use disorder patients. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:337. [PMID: 34229633 PMCID: PMC8259003 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03340-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance Use Disorder (SUD) causes a great deal of personal suffering for patients. Recent evidence highlights how defenses and emotion regulation may play a crucial part in the onset and development of this disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in the defensive functioning between SUD patients and non-clinical controls. Secondly, we aimed at investigating the relationships between alexithymia and maladaptive/assimilation defenses. METHODS The authors assessed defensive functioning (Response Evaluation Measure-71, REM-71), personality (MMPI-II), and alexithymia (TAS-20) of 171 SUD patients (17% female; mean age = 36.5), compared to 155 controls. Authors performed a series of ANOVAs to investigate the defensive array in SUD patients compared to that of non-clinical controls. Student t test for indipendent samples was used to compare clinical characteristics between the SUD group and the controls. To investigate the role of single defenses in explaining alexithimia's subscores, stepwise multiple regression analysis were carried out on socio-demographic characteristics of participants (gender, age, and years of education), with REM-71 defenses as predictors. RESULTS SUD patients presented a more maladaptive/assimilation (Factor 1) defensive array (p < .001). Among SUD sub-groups, Alcohol Use Disorder patients showed more disfuncional defenses. Factor 1 defenses were related to a worse psychological functioning. In addition, alexyhimia (particularly DIF) was strongly related to Factor 1 defenses, expecially Projection (38% of variance explained, β = .270, p < .001). CONCLUSION The REM-71 and the TAS-20 might be useful screening instruments among SUD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Taurino
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Palazzo Chiaia-Napolitano, Via Scipione Crisanzio 42, 70122, Bari, Italy
| | - Linda A Antonucci
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Palazzo Chiaia-Napolitano, Via Scipione Crisanzio 42, 70122, Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo Taurisano
- Section of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Laera
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari, Palazzo Chiaia-Napolitano, Via Scipione Crisanzio 42, 70122, Bari, Italy.
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Tanzilli A, Di Giuseppe M, Giovanardi G, Boldrini T, Caviglia G, Conversano C, Lingiardi V. Mentalization, attachment, and defense mechanisms: a Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual-2-oriented empirical investigation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 24:531. [PMID: 33937117 PMCID: PMC8082535 DOI: 10.4081/ripppo.2021.531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mentalizing capacities depends on the quality of primary attachment interactions with caregivers who thinks of the child as a subject with mental states. Operationalized as reflective functioning, mentalization is crucial for regulating emotions and developing of a coherent sense of identity, for interacting with individuals making sense to own and others mental states, and for distinguishing internal and external realities without distortions. Although the clinical literature on interplay between mentalization, attachment, and emotional regulation is rich, the empirical research is limited. This study sought to explore connections between reflective functioning, attachment styles, and implicit emotion regulation, operationalized as defense mechanisms, in a group of depressive patients. Twenty-eight patients were interviewed using the adult attachment interview (AAI) and diagnosed using the Psychodynamic Chart-2 of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual, Second Edition. The reflective functioning scale and the defense mechanisms rating scale Qsort were applied to AAI transcriptions to assess reflective functioning and defensive profile. Patients with secure attachment showed significantly higher levels in reflective functioning and overall defensive functioning as compared to those with insecure attachment. Good reflective functioning and secure attachment correlated with mature defenses and specific defensive mechanisms that serve in better regulating affective states. Overall, the relationship between mentalization, attachment and emotion regulation lay the foundations for the delineation of defensive profiles associated with attachment patterns and reflective functioning in depressive patients. The systematic assessment of these psychological dimensions with gold-standard tools may help in tailoring personalized therapeutic interventions and promoting more effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Tanzilli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
| | - Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa
| | - Guido Giovanardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
| | - Tommaso Boldrini
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padua
| | - Giorgio Caviglia
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Ciro Conversano
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa
| | - Vittorio Lingiardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
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Conrad R, Forstner AJ, Chung ML, Mücke M, Geiser F, Schumacher J, Carnehl F. Significance of anger suppression and preoccupied attachment in social anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:116. [PMID: 33618700 PMCID: PMC7898747 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03098-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence for the relevance of attachment style and anger expression for the manifestation of social anxiety disorder (SAD). METHOD In a cross-sectional study 321 individuals with social anxiety disorder (41% men, age 38.8 ± 13.9) were compared with 94 healthy controls (37% men, age 35.8 ± 15.1) on several questionnaires (Attachment Styles Questionnaire, State Trait Anger Inventory, Social Phobia Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory). RESULTS Individuals with SAD showed moderate-sized reduced levels of secure and large-sized increased levels of fearful and preoccupied attachment style compared to healthy controls (all p < 0.001) as well as small-sized increased levels of trait anger (p = 0.03) and moderate-sized increased levels of anger-in (p < 0.001). Attachment style and anger regulation could predict 21% (R2 = 0.21, p < 0.001) of the extent of social anxiety (SPIN) in SAD; secure (β = - 0.196, p < 0.01) and preoccupied attachment style (β = 0.117, p < 0.05), as well as anger-in (β = 0.199, p < 0.01) were significant cross-sectional predictors. Further analysis revealed that the relationship between preoccupied attachment and social anxiety is partially mediated by anger-in. CONCLUSION Study findings confirm the relevance of preoccupied attachment style and anger suppression for social anxiety. Disentangling the role of anger regulation in early attachment patterns has significant therapeutic implications in SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupert Conrad
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Andreas J. Forstner
- grid.10253.350000 0004 1936 9756Center for Human Genetics, University of Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35033 Marburg, Germany ,grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Man-Long Chung
- grid.15090.3d0000 0000 8786 803XDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Mücke
- grid.15090.3d0000 0000 8786 803XCenter for Rare Diseases Bonn (ZSEB), University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- grid.15090.3d0000 0000 8786 803XDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes Schumacher
- grid.10253.350000 0004 1936 9756Center for Human Genetics, University of Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35033 Marburg, Germany
| | - Friederike Carnehl
- grid.15090.3d0000 0000 8786 803XDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Kim JJ, Kent KM, Cunnington R, Gilbert P, Kirby JN. Attachment styles modulate neural markers of threat and imagery when engaging in self-criticism. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13776. [PMID: 32792601 PMCID: PMC7426808 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70772-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Attachment styles hold important downstream consequences for mental health through their contribution to the emergence of self-criticism. To date, no work has extended our understanding of the influence of attachment styles on self-criticism at a neurobiological level. Herein we investigate the relationship between self-reported attachment styles and neural markers of self-criticism using fMRI. A correlation network analysis revealed lingual gyrus activation during self-criticism, a marker of visual mental imagery, correlated with amygdala activity (threat response). It also identified that secure attachment positively correlated with lingual gyrus activation, whilst avoidant attachment was negatively correlated with lingual gyrus activation. Further, at greater levels of amygdala response, more securely attached individuals showed greater lingual gyrus activation, and more avoidantly attached individuals showed less lingual gyrus activation. Our data provide the first evidence that attachment mechanisms may modulate threat responses and mental imagery when engaging in self-criticism, which have important clinical and broader social implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Kim
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Level 3 Building 24a, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. .,The Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Kirsty M Kent
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Level 3 Building 24a, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Ross Cunnington
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Level 3 Building 24a, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Paul Gilbert
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Level 3 Building 24a, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,School of Allied Health and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK
| | - James N Kirby
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Level 3 Building 24a, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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