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Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Generalized anxiety disorder: connections with self-reported attachment
Jude Cassidy1, June Lichtenstein-Phelps, Nicholas J Sibrava
12147C Biology-Psychology Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. jcassidy@psyc.umd.edu
Behavior Therapy
|February 4, 2009
Summary
Childhood experiences of maternal rejection and neglect are linked to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adulthood. Poor attachment in childhood increases the risk for developing GAD, impacting adult mental health.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent mental health condition with largely unknown precursors.
- Bowlby's attachment theory offers a framework for understanding the developmental roots of adult anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between childhood attachment experiences and the development of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
- To examine how adult "current state of mind with respect to attachment" relates to GAD.
Main Methods:
- The Perceptions of Adult Attachment Questionnaire (PAAQ), assessing 8 subscales, was used to evaluate attachment-related components.
- Participants included clinically severe GAD clients and control participants.
Main Results:
- GAD clients reported less childhood maternal love, greater maternal rejection/neglect, and more maternal role-reversal/enmeshment than controls.
- Increased indices of poor childhood attachment correlated with higher risk for GAD.
- GAD clients exhibited greater current maternal vulnerability and more difficulty accessing childhood memories.
Conclusions:
- Childhood attachment experiences significantly predict the likelihood of developing GAD.
- Findings support a cumulative risk model for GAD development.
- Results have implications for advancing GAD theory and therapeutic interventions.
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