Well-being of people diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: the role of attachment style, parental treatment and couple relationship

ABSTRACT

This study compares levels and psychosocial predictors of well-being among 73 persons diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) and 80 matched non-clinical (NC) controls. Findings show that the NC group scored higher on well-being, experiences of parental care, and couple relationship satisfaction; whereas the SSD group scored higher on both avoidant and anxious attachment styles, parental overprotection, and parental differential treatment (reporting being favored more than their siblings). Low scores on insecure attachment and parental care were key predictors of well-being among the NC group; couple relationship satisfaction mediated the association between avoidant attachment and well-being in both groups. The results warrant interventions that factor in attachment styles when patients diagnosed with SSD begin therapy that aims to improve their well-being.

KEYWORDS:

• Schizophrenia
• well-being
• attachment styles
• experiences of parental bonding
• couple relationship satisfaction
• self-differentiation
• family status
• gender
• parental acceptance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.