Mental representations of attachment in eating disorders: a pilot study using the Adult Attachment Interview.

Full Abstract

Mental representations of attachment in a sample of adults with Eating Disorders (ED) were assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Sixty subjects participated in the study: 30 non-clinical and 30 clinical. The results obtained showed a specific distribution of attachment patterns in the clinical sample: 10% Free/Autonomous (F), 47% Insecure-Dismissing (Ds), 17% Insecure-Entangled/Preoccupied (E) and about 26% disorganized (CC/U). The two samples differed in their attachment pattern distribution and were significantly different on some coding system scales. Further information was obtained by analyzing differences between the three ED subtypes considered (i.e. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder) and by investigating the differential role of the two parental figures in the definition of attachment representations. Results showed potential benefits in using the AAI coding system scales in addition to the main classifications in order to understand better the developmental issues involved in these disorders. Implications for developmental research and clinical nosology are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Barone, Lavinia (L); Guiducci, Valentina (V);

Affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Pavia, Italy. lavinia.barone(-atsign-)unipv.it

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Attachment & human development (Attach Hum Dev), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 11 (issue 4) : pp 405-17

Dates: Created 2009/07/15; Completed 2009/10/26;

PMID: 19603303, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/26/2009, IMS Date: )

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