Depression and attachment problems

O Pettem; M West; A Mahoney; A Keller

Depression and attachment problems

J Psychiatry Neurosci. 1993 Mar;18(2):78-81.

Authors

O Pettem¹, M West, A Mahoney, A Keller

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychology, Calgary General Hospital, Alberta, Canada.

PMID: 8461287
PMCID: PMC1188491

Abstract

This study investigated the characteristics related to attachment of 42 depressed psychiatric patients and 42 non-depressed psychiatric controls. The depressed subjects demonstrated an anxious pattern of attachment, characterized by either intense care-seeking in relation to their attachment figure or angry withdrawal from their attachment figure when their desire for security was frustrated. The results are discussed in terms of Bowlby's attachment construct.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
Depressive Disorder / psychology*
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Object Attachment*
Personality Inventory