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Adult attachment insecurity is positively associated with medically unexplained chronic pain
1Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada.
European Journal of Pain (London, England)
|April 19, 2017
Summary
Attachment insecurity is linked to medically unexplained chronic pain (MUCP). Avoidant attachment styles showed a significant association with MUCP, even after accounting for mental health conditions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Attachment insecurity, characterized by relationship anxiety or discomfort, is linked to physical symptoms.
- Medically unexplained chronic pain (MUCP) may be a severe manifestation of symptom reporting in individuals with insecure attachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the relationship between adult attachment styles and past-year MUCP in the U.S. general population.
- Determine if attachment style ratings predict MUCP beyond potential confounders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (N=5645).
- Assessed attachment styles (secure, anxious, avoidant) via interview.
- Assessed past-year MUCP using a brief interview.
- Controlled for depressive and anxiety disorders using DSM-IV criteria.
Main Results:
- Past-year MUCP prevalence was 2.45%.
- Both anxious and avoidant attachment styles were positively associated with MUCP.
- Avoidant attachment remained significantly associated with MUCP after adjusting for covariates.
Conclusions:
- Attachment insecurity is positively associated with past-year MUCP, persisting after statistical adjustment for mental health disorders.
- Further research into the mechanisms underlying the attachment insecurity-MUCP association is needed to inform treatment.
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