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Related Experiment Videos

Attachment patterns in eating disorders: past in the present.

A Ward1, R Ramsay, S Turnbull

  • 1Psychotherapy Unit, Maudsley Hospital, London, England.

The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|October 31, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Individuals with eating disorders exhibit insecure adult attachment patterns, showing a "pull-push" dilemma in relationships. This attachment insecurity may contribute to vulnerability and complicate therapeutic approaches for eating disorders.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Attachment Theory

Background:

  • Existing literature indicates abnormal mother-daughter and familial attachment in individuals with eating disorders.
  • Attachment insecurity is hypothesized to extend to adult relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate attachment patterns in individuals with eating disorders.
  • To determine if attachment insecurity is present in adult relationships of those with eating disorders.

Main Methods:

  • The Reciprocal Attachment Questionnaire (RAQ) was used to assess attachment.
  • RAQ was administered to eating disorder patients (inpatients and outpatients) and controls.
  • The RAQ measures key components of reciprocal attachment, aligning with the Adult Attachment Interview.

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Main Results:

  • Eating disorder patients scored significantly higher on most RAQ scales compared to controls.
  • Compulsive Care-Seeking and Compulsive Self-Reliance were notably higher in patients.
  • No significant associations were found between specific eating disorder diagnoses and attachment profiles.

Conclusions:

  • A "pull-push" dilemma in reciprocal attachment relationships was observed in individuals with eating disorders.
  • This attachment dilemma may impede therapy and explain strong emotional responses in therapists.
  • Childhood attachment insecurity might represent a vulnerability, with later events shaping symptomatic presentation.