Attachment and Parenting in Adult Patients with Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

Background:The literature suggests that dysfunctional parenting and insecure attachment may increase risk of anxiety-related psychopathology. This study aimed at testing the association between anxiety disorders, attachment insecurity and dysfunctional parenting while controlling for factors usually not controlled for in previous studies, such as gender, age, and being ill.Methods:A sample of 32 non-psychotic inpatients with SCID-I diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, either alone or in comorbidity, was compared with two age- and sex-matched control groups consisting of 32 non-clinical participants and 32 in-patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Study measures included the Experience in Close Relationships questionnaire (ECR) and the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Results:The patients with anxiety disorders scored significantly higher on attachment-related anxiety and avoidance than patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and non-clinical participants. These findings were independent of comorbidity for mood disorders. ECR scores did not differ among diagnostic subgroups (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, other anxiety disorders). Patients with anxiety disorders scored significantly lower on PBI mother’s care and borderline significantly lower on PBI father's care than patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.Conclusions:Although limitations such as the relatively small sample size and the cross-sectional nature suggest caution in interpreting these findings, they are consistent with the few previous adult studies performed on this topic and corroborate Bowlby's seminal hypothesis of a link between negative attachment-related experiences, attachment insecurity, and clinical anxiety. Attachment theory provides a useful theoretical framework for integrating research findings from several fields concerning the development of anxiety disorders and for planning therapeutic interventions.

The role of Maternal Attachment Styles in Predicting the Parent-Child Relationship and Anxiety Disorders in Children

“…In their study, Brumariu & Kerns (2010) reported a relationship between the mother-child attachment style and different anxiety disorders. This relationship was also demonstrated in other studies (Picardi et al, 2013;Esbjorn et al, 2012). A study conducted by Catherine et al (2012) showed that the insecure attachment style is associated with greater anxiety responses.…”

“…From childhood until old age, individuals try to survive for the final goal of establishing intimacy. But every individual has a different attachment style that is indicative of his personal differences affected by the perception he has of his own and others' beliefs (Bowlby, 1969 ;Picardi et al, 2013). The theory of attachment and personal relationships affected by early experiences in development and its relationship with later personality development.…”

“…Attachment also contains the concept of parent-child relationship. The parent-child relationship may be defined as a set of attitudes experienced in an emotional environment with the behaviors projected by the parents (both purposive behaviors such as raising the child and nonpurposive behaviors such as gestures and changes in the tone of voice) that predict the parent-child relationship (Picardi et al, 2013). Bowlby (1969) proposed a consistent model of the emotional bond between the mother and the child and argued that the bond provides a protective action.…”

Genetic predispositions and parental bonding interact to shape adults’ physiological responses to social distress

“…Parents who nurture their infants and who willingly fulfil their infants’ physiological and psychological needs for security and emotional closeness will foster a better and more stable emotional development in their offspring, who will be able to cope with stressful events in an adaptive way. By contrast, children who experience poor parenting tend to develop poorer emotional pathways and will react to distress with maladaptive responses (Francis & Meaney, 1999; Picardi et al, 2013). …”

Contexto, patrón relacional y clínica.

“…En los últimos años, numerosos estudios han intentado establecer una relación entre el tipo de apego y el desarrollo posterior de psicopatología (Aaronson et alt. 2006;A Picardi et alt 2013). Las aportaciones también de P Fonagy (2006P Fonagy ( -2016 han contribuido, en este sentido, a establecer un puente entre las teorías del apego y la psicopatología.…”