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The relationship between attachment insecurity and experiences on the paranoia continuum: A meta-analysis
Regina Murphy1, Karen Goodall2, Amanda Woodrow3
1NHS Borders Mental Health Service, Melrose, UK.
The British Journal of Clinical Psychology
|April 1, 2020
Summary
Attachment insecurity is moderately linked to paranoia. This suggests that insecure attachment may play a role in the development and maintenance of paranoid experiences, impacting psychological treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Attachment theory posits a crucial role for attachment in the development of paranoia.
- Previous research indicates a link between attachment and paranoia, but findings vary significantly.
- This study provides the first meta-analytic synthesis of the attachment-paranoia relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To meta-analytically estimate the relationship between attachment and paranoia.
- To investigate the strength of associations between attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, and paranoia.
- To examine potential moderating effects of age and sex on these relationships.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases up to January 2019.
- Included 26 studies with 10,539 participants (mean age 16-47; 45% male).
- Random effects models were used for analysis, with meta-regressions to test for moderators.
Main Results:
- Significant associations were found between paranoia and attachment anxiety (r=.38) and attachment avoidance (r=.24).
- These associations were consistent across clinical and non-clinical samples.
- Neither age nor sex moderated the identified relationships.
Conclusions:
- A moderate association exists between attachment insecurity and paranoia.
- Insecure attachment may be an active factor in the etiology and maintenance of paranoia.
- Findings support considering attachment status in psychological formulations and treatments for paranoia.
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