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. Aim: 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. Conclusion: A definite gradient was observed concerning patterns and strength of attachment in relation to the severity of psychopathology.

• Adult attachment patterns
• Axis I
• Axis II
• Community sample
• Self-report

Conflicts of interest: The study was supported by a research grant from Innlandet Hospital Trust and from the Legacies of the Norwegian Radium Hospital. The data sampling of the NORM was financed by a grant from the Lundbeck (Norway) Prize of Psychiatry 2007 to the first author. The company had no influence of the design of the study, data analyses or presentation of the results. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.