A prospective investigation of the impact of attachment style on stress generation among clinically depressed individuals

Behav Res Ther. 2007 Jan;45(1):179-88. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2006.01.003. Epub 2006 Feb 20.

Abstract

The present study sought to determine if attachment style contributed to the generation of stressful life events among clinically depressed individuals during the course of treatment. Participants (N=68) were interviewed about life stressors experienced during a 3-month treatment protocol using a contextual approach (Life Events and Difficulties Schedule; [Brown, G. W., & Harris, T. O. (1978). Social origins of depression: A study of psychiatric disorder in women. New York: Free Press]). Results suggested interactive effects between severity of depression and attachment style on stress associated with future sociotropic and dependent life events. Mildly depressed individuals who reported a dismissing attachment style (higher levels of avoidant attachment and lower levels of anxious attachment) or preoccupied style (lower levels of avoidant attachment and higher levels of anxious attachment) experienced higher levels of stress associated with sociotropic events. Likewise, a dismissing attachment style predicted stress associated with dependent events among mildly depressed individuals. These effects were not present among our more severely depressed participants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Life Change Events
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychometrics
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*