Poster #44 - Adult Attachment Classification and Mental Health: A Systematic Review

• In Event: Poster Session 04

Abstract

Objectives: Attachment can be defined as an internal working model of relationships that helps individuals guide their behaviors and develop expectations of relationship partners throughout childhood and into adulthood (Bowlby, 1958; Bretherton & Munholland, 2008, p. 102). Secure attachment to caregivers develops during infancy but is thought to have a buffering effect from adverse outcomes throughout the lifespan (Girme et al., 2021; Ward et al., 2006). This purpose of this review is to examine the literature for associations between adult attachment, as classified with the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), and mental health outcomes, as well as identify gaps in this literature and provide for future directions.
Methods: This systematic review focused on studies with the Main & Goldwyn AAI classification system and a concurrent measure of psychopathology or psychiatric diagnosis in adults. Studies were found through database searches of PsycINFO and PubMed. Studies were examined for risk of bias through the use of the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) and a qualitative synthesis of study results is presented. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed.
Results: Seventeen studies were identified as eligible for inclusion with a total of 1,727 participants across studies. Participants were almost entirely female, and a range of mental health measures were used. Overall, results suggest a link between attachment classification and general psychopathology and emotional distress.
Discussion: The conclusions drawn by this review are limited by the relative homogeneity of the population included in the reviewed studies. However, the association found between attachment classification and mental health has important implications for the conceptualization of the lifespan impact of developing a secure attachment early in life.

Authors

• Suzanne Vaccaro, University of New Mexico

• Molly Pylypciw, University of New Mexico
  Presenting Author