Primaryemotions and attachment in mental disorder Objectives: There is increasing evidence for associations between primary emotions and attachment with mental illness. This study illuminates the mediation relationship of these psychodynamic constructs in relation to psychiatric disorders.
Methods: 921 subjects (69.9 % female) were examined, who completed the questionnaires Brief Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales including a LUST Scale, Experiences in Close Relationships - Revised 8, and ICD-10 Symptom Rating online. A path analysis was conducted to evaluate the mediation effects of attachment anxiety.
Results: A disease-specific pattern of direct associations between primary emotions, attachment anxiety, and psychological impairment emerged (all p < .01). Attachment exerted mediating effects primarily for SADNESS (p < .01), and to a lesser extent for LUST and CARE (p > .01).The model provided variance resolution ranging from7%(eating disorders) to 47%(depression).
Conclusion: The results demonstrate the relevance of affective explanations regarding the development of psychological symptoms, as well as therapeutic implications.
Keywords: Primary Emotions - Attachment - Attachment Anxiety -Mental Illness - Depression - OCD - Anxiety - Eating Disorder - Somatization - B-ANPS-GL.