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Psychological functioning in patients with different PCOS phenotypes: exploring attachment styles and stress coping
Witold Urban1,2, Dominika Dudek1, Katarzyna Klasa1
1Jagiellonian University Medical College, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Clinic, Kraków, Poland.
Psychiatria Polska
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) exhibit distinct attachment styles and stress coping mechanisms based on their phenotype. Understanding these differences is crucial for personalized PCOS management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Psychology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder with varying clinical presentations.
- Attachment patterns and stress coping strategies are known psychological factors influencing health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare attachment patterns and stress coping strategies between NIH and non-NIH PCOS phenotypes.
- To investigate correlations between attachment, coping, BMI, and hirsutism in PCOS patients.
Main Methods:
- The study included 62 patients with NIH phenotypes and 32 with non-NIH phenotypes of PCOS.
- Attachment was assessed using the Attachment Styles Questionnaire.
- Stress coping was evaluated with the Mini-Cope Inventory.
Main Results:
- Anxious-ambivalent attachment was more common in NIH PCOS phenotypes.
- NIH PCOS patients showed less use of active coping strategies like planning and acceptance.
- Specific correlations were found between attachment styles (secure, anxious-avoidant, anxious-ambivalent) and coping mechanisms (seeking support, acceptance, behavioral disengagement, self-blame).
Conclusions:
- Distinct PCOS phenotypes are associated with different attachment styles and stress coping mechanisms.
- Attachment patterns significantly correlate with specific stress coping strategies.
- A personalized approach is recommended for PCOS management, considering clinical and psychological variability.
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