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Published on: March 17, 2019
Alexithymia and attachment insecurities in impulsive aggression.
Andrea Fossati1, Elena Acquarini, Judith A Feeney
1Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy. fossati.andrea@hsr.it
Attachment & Human Development
|March 7, 2009
Summary
This study introduces a new measure for impulsive aggressiveness, finding it linked to poor mentalized affectivity and insecure attachment styles. Mentalization deficits partially mediate this relationship in non-clinical adults.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Impulsive aggression is a significant clinical concern.
- Attachment theory and mentalization are crucial for understanding emotional regulation.
- Previous research suggests links between attachment, mentalization, and aggression, but a direct measure of impulsive aggression was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a new measure of impulsive aggressiveness.
- To examine the associations between this new measure, mentalized affectivity, and adult attachment styles.
- To investigate the mediating role of mentalization deficits in the link between insecure attachment and impulsive aggression.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 637 non-clinical participants completed self-report measures.
- A new scale for impulsive aggressiveness was developed and assessed.
- Statistical analyses, including regression and mediation analyses, were employed.
Main Results:
- Insecure attachment styles and deficits in mentalized affectivity were significantly associated with higher impulsive aggressiveness.
- The developed measure showed significant associations with both attachment and mentalization.
- Mentalization deficits partially mediated the relationship between insecure attachment styles and impulsive aggressiveness.
Conclusions:
- The new measure effectively captures impulsive aggressiveness.
- Mentalized affectivity and attachment security are important factors in impulsive aggression.
- Interventions targeting mentalization may help mitigate impulsive aggression in individuals with insecure attachment.
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