The aim of this study is to examine the differences between four attachment styles in relation to symptoms of psychopathology and the quality of social interaction, as well as to determine the role of attachment and psychopathology in predicting positive and negative social exchange. A total of 57 participants from the neuropsychiatric department of the Service for Specialist-Consultative Health Activities of the Health Centre in Novi Sad took part in the research. Respondents were mostly female (61%), aged 17 to 68 (M=40.13, SD=12.35). The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) was used for attachment styles assessment. Psychopathological symptoms were measured using the Cornell Index (CI-N4), and the quality of social relationships was evaluated via the Network of Relationship Inventory (NRI). The highest rate of symptoms was detected in subjects with a preoccupied style, followed by those whose style was identified as fearful. The same two styles showed the least positive social exchange. Statistically significant differences on most scales from CI-N4 were found mainly between the secure and preoccupied subjects, while subjects with the avoidant pattern did not demonstrate significant differences in psychopathology and social functioning compared to secure participants. Secure affective attachment and low aggressive-antisocial indicators (impulsiveness, aggression, and paranoia) were the most important predictors of positive social exchange. Understanding psychopathological manifestations of different insecure attachment styles can contribute to the efficiency of psychodiagnostic and psychotherapeutic processes. Furthermore, the fact that insecure attachment and aggressive-antisocial factor predominantly compromise positive social interaction can facilitate goal setting during psychological treatment within the clinical spectrum.

The aim of this study was to examine the differences in manifestations of three schizotypal dimensions (cognitive-perceptive, interpersonal, disorganized), depending on the attachment style and exposure to different adverse experiences during the childhood. The study was conducted on 181 participants, with a mean age of 20.09 years (SD = 2.19). Schizotypy was measured using the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire - Brief Revised (SPQ-BR), and for the assessment of attachment styles and harmful experiences during childhood, special questionnaires were constructed. MANOVA showed that participants with a preoccupied attachment had the most prominent interpersonal and disorganized symptoms, while individuals with a fearful style had the highest scores on interpersonal dimension. There were no significant differences between secure and avoidant attachment style in either dimension of schizotypy. Adverse childhood experiences that turned out to be relevant for the manifestation of cognitive-perceptual symptoms were: frequent quarrels, negative impact on self-esteem in the family and frequent harassment outside the family. For interpersonal dimension, the most relevant experiences were: rejection in the peer group, severe physical punishment, negative impact on self-esteem, frequent harassment outside the family. For disorganization, the most important experiences were: restrained or aggressive behavior of the mother, aggressive and punishing behavior of the father, rejection in the peer group, severe physical punishment, negative impact on self-esteem, harassment outside the family. The results showed that preoccupied and fearful attachment styles were characterized by the most prominent schizotypal manifestations, and that different dimensions of schizotypy can be associated with specific early harmful experiences, which could explain the great heterogeneity in schizotypal symptoms.