Attachment styles and profile of difficulties in emotional regulation in a sample of female adolescents (16-19 years old)

Downloads

Published

2022-03-30

How to Cite

Alcindor-Huelva, P., Delgado Campos, A., Izquierdo Morejón, F. J., & Faya Barrios, M. (2022). Attachment styles and profile of difficulties in emotional regulation in a sample of female adolescents (16-19 years old). Revista De Psiquiatría Infanto-Juvenil, 39(1), 10–24. https://doi.org/10.31766/revpsij.v39n1a3

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 1 (2022): Enero-Marzo

Section

Orginial article
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Authors

  • P. Alcindor-Huelva Centro de Salud Mental Puente de Vallecas, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3821-9118
  • A. Delgado Campos Centro de Salud Mental Puente de Vallecas, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid
  • F. J. Izquierdo Morejón Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real
  • M. Faya Barrios Servicio de Psiquiatría y Psicología Clínica, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5427-6385

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31766/revpsij.v39n1a3

Keywords:

parent-child relationships, emotional regulation, adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: The emotional world has a great impact on people's lives. The regulation of emotions significantly influences the quality of life and its lack is a risk factor for the onset of mental disorders (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-harmful behaviors ...). One of the elements involved in the development of emotion regulation is the attachment style. Objectives: The main objective is to estimate the total score and the variables of the DERS questionnaire to later compare the profile of the difficulties in emotion regulation. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional observational study. The sample size is 63 female subjects. A socio-demographic questionnaire, CaMir-R (assessment of attachment in adolescents), DERS (Scale of Difficulties in Emotional Regulation) was administered in the adolescent population (16-19 years). Results: There is a significant difference in the difficulties in emotion regulation in patients according to their attachment style, mainly in the variable of Inattention, Emotional Lack of Control and Total Score. A moderate negative correlation was found between the Ca-Mir-R questionnaire Safety score and the total DERS questionnaire score. However, only 8% of the variability of the total DERS score is explained by Ca-Mir-R Security. Conclusions: Teens with an insecure attachment style have more difficulties recognizing and identifying their emotions, and controlling their behaviors when they are under an intense emotional state. With the results obtained, it would be justified to carry out more studies, with a differentiation of the different insecure attachment styles.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

TenHouten WD. A general theory of emotions and social life. London; New York: Routledge; 2007. 308 p. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203013441 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203013441

Gross JJ, Muñoz RF. Emotion regulation and mental health. Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 1995;2(2): 151-64. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2850.1995.tb00036.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2850.1995.tb00036.x

Thompson RA. Emotion regulation: a theme in search of definition. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev. 1994;59(2-3):25-52. https://doi.org/10.2307/1166137 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.1994.tb01276.x

McRae K, Gross JJ. Emotion regulation. Emotion. 2020;20(1): 1-9. doi: 10.1037/emo0000703 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000703

Gross JJ, editor. The Nonconscious Regulation of Emotions. En: Handbook of emotion regulation. Paperback ed. New York (NY): Guilford Press; 2009. p. 429-45.

Gratz KL, Roemer L. Multidimensional assessment of emotion regulation and dysregulation: Development, factor structure, and initial validation of the difficulties in emotion regulation scale. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2004;26(1): 41-54. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBA.0000007455.08539.94

Cole PM, Michel MK, Teti LO. The development of emotion regulation and dysregulation: a clinical perspective. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev. 1994;59(2-3): 73-100. https://doi.org/10.2307/1166139 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1166139

Cassidy J. Emotion regulation: influences of attachment relationships. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev. 1994;59(2-3): 228-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.1994.tb01287.x

Bowlby J. Attachment and Loss: Attachment [Internet]. Basic Books; 1969. Disponible en: https://books.google.es/books?id=dvZGAAAAMAAJ

Bowlby J. Attachment and loss: Volume II: Separation, anxiety and anger. Vol. 2. London: The Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis.; 1973. 429 p.

Bretherton I. The origins of attachment theory: John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. Dev Psychol. 1992;28(5):759-75. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.28.5.759 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.28.5.759

Bretherton I. New perspectives on attachment relations: Security, communication, and internal working models. En: Osofsky JD, editor. Handbook of infant development. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1987. p. 1061-100.

Shaver PR, Mikulincer M. Attachment-related psychodynamics. Attach Hum Dev. 2002;4(2): 133-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616730210154171 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616730210154171

Jewell T, Collyer H, Gardner T, Tchanturia K, Simic M, Fonagy P, Eisler I. Attachment and mentalization and their association with child and adolescent eating pathology: A systematic review. Int J Eat Disord. 2016;49(4): 354-73. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22473 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22473

Ramacciotti A, Sorbello M, Pazzagli A, Vismara L, Mancone A, Pallanti S. Attachment processes in eating disorders. Eat Weight Disord - Stud Anorex Bulim Obes. 2001;6(3): 166-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03339766 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03339766

Ringer F, Crittenden PM. Eating disorders and attachment: the effects of hidden family processes on eating disorders. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2007;15(2): 119-30. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.761 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.761

Ward A, Ramsay R, Turnbull S, Benedettini M, Treasure J. Attachment patterns in eating disorders: past in the present. Int J Eat Disord. 2000;28(4): 370-6. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-108x(200012)28:4<370::aid-eat4>3.0.co;2-p DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-108X(200012)28:4<370::AID-EAT4>3.0.CO;2-P

Hervás G, Jódar R. Hervás, G., & Jódar, R. Adaptación al castellano de la Escala de Dificultades en la Regulación Emocional. Clínica Salud. 2008;19(2): 139-56.

Lacasa F, Muela A. Guía para la aplicación e interpretación del cuestionario de apego CaMir-R. Rev Psicopatol Salud Ment Niño Adolesc. 2014;24: 83-93.

Balluerka N, Lacasa Saludas F, Muela A, Pierrehumbert B. Versión reducida del cuestionario CaMir (CaMir-R) para la evaluación del apego. Psicothema. 2011;23(3): 486-94.

Cassidy J. Emotion regulation: influences of attachment relationships. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev. 1994;59(2-3): 228-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.1994.tb01287.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.1994.tb01287.x

Cassidy J, Kobak RR. Avoidance and its relation to other defensive processes. En: Clinical implications of attachment. Hillsdale (NJ): L. Erlbaum Associates; 1988. p. 300-23. (Child psychology; vol. 1).

Ketelaar T, Clore GL. Emotion and reason: The proximate effects and ultimate functions of emotions. En: Advances in Psychology [Internet]. Elsevier; 1997 [citado 1 de septiembre de 2021]. p. 355-96. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0166411597801252 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4115(97)80125-2

Salovey P, Mayer JD. Emotional intelligence. Imagin Cogn Personal. 1990;9(3): 185-211. https://doi.org/10.2190/DUGG-P24E-52WK-6CDG DOI: https://doi.org/10.2190/DUGG-P24E-52WK-6CDG

Lindquist K, Barrett LF. Emotional complexity. En: M. Lewis, J. M. Haviland-Jones, L. F. Barrett, editores. The handbook of emotion. 3rd ed. New York (NY): Guilford; 2008. p. 513-30.

Chris Fraley R, Brumbaugh CC. Adult Attachment and Preemptive Defenses: Converging Evidence on the Role of Defensive Exclusion at the Level of Encoding. J Pers. 2007;75(5): 1033-50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2007.00465.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2007.00465.x

De Rick A, Vanheule S. The relationship between perceived parenting, adult attachment style and alexithymia in alcoholic inpatients. Addict Behav. 2006;31(7): 1265-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.08.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.08.010

Monti JD, Rudolph KD. Emotional awareness as a pathway linking adult attachment to subsequent depression. J Couns Psychol. julio de 2014;61(3):374-82. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000016

Szpak M, Białecka-Pikul M. Attachment and alexithymia are related, but mind-mindedness does not mediate this relationship. Pol Psychol Bull. 2015;46(2): 217-22. https://doi.org/10.1515/ppb-2015-0029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ppb-2015-0029

Meins E, Harris-Waller J, Lloyd A. Understanding alexithymia: Associations with peer attachment style and mind-mindedness. Personal Individ Differ. 2008;45(2): 146-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.03.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.03.013

Luyten P, Campbell C, Allison E, Fonagy P. The Mentalizing Approach to Psychopathology: State of the Art and Future Directions. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2020;16(1): 297-325. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-071919-015355 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-071919-015355

Bateman AW, Fonagy P. Mentalization-Based Treatment of BPD. J Personal Disord. 2004;18(1): 36-51. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.18.1.36.32772 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.18.1.36.32772

Fonagy P, Luyten P, Allison E, Campbell C. What we have changed our minds about: Part 1. Borderline personality disorder as a limitation of resilience. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregulation. 2017;4(1): 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-017-0061-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-017-0061-9

Fonagy P, Luyten P, Allison E, Campbell C. What we have changed our minds about: Part 2. Borderline personality disorder, epistemic trust and the developmental significance of social communication. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregulation. 2017;4(1): 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-017-0062-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-017-0062-8

Fossati A, Feeney J, Maffei C, Borroni S. Thinking about feelings: Affective state mentalization, attachment styles, and borderline personality disorder features among Italian nonclinical adolescents. Psychoanal Psychol. 2014;31(1): 41-67. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033960 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033960

Extremera N, Durán A, Rey L. Perceived emotional intelligence and dispositional optimism–pessimism: Analyzing their role in predicting psychological adjustment among adolescents. Personal Individ Differ. 2007;42(6): 1069-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2006.09.014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2006.09.014

Haas LM, McArthur BA, Burke TA, Olino TM, Abramson LY, Alloy LB. Emotional clarity development and psychosocial outcomes during adolescence. Emotion. 2019;19(4): 563-72. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000452 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000452

Rubenstein LM, Hamilton JL, Stange JP, Flynn M, Abramson LY, Alloy LB. The cyclical nature of depressed mood and future risk: Depression, rumination, and deficits in emotional clarity in adolescent girls. J Adolesc. 2015;42: 68-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.03.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.03.015

Gratz KL, Roemer L. Multidimensional Assessment of Emotion Regulation and Dysregulation: Development, Factor Structure, and Initial Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. marzo de 2004;26(1): 41-54. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBA.0000007455.08539.94 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBA.0000007455.08539.94

Gratz KL, Bornovalova MA, Delany-Brumsey A, Nick B, Lejuez CW. A Laboratory-Based Study of the Relationship Between Childhood Abuse and Experiential Avoidance Among Inner-City Substance Users: The Role of Emotional Nonacceptance. Behav Ther. 2007;38(3): 256-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2006.08.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2006.08.006

Contardi A, Benedetto F, Fabbricatore M, Tamburello S, Scapellato P, Penzo I, Tamburello A, Innamorati M. Difficoltà nella regolazione delle emozioni e disagio personale nei giovani adulti con ansia sociale. Riv Psichiatr [Internet]. 2013,48(2). https://doi.org/10.1708/1272.14040

Mekawi Y, Watson‐Singleton NN, Dixon HD, Fani N, Michopoulos V, Powers A. Validation of the difficulties with emotion regulation scale in a sample of trauma‐exposed Black women. J Clin Psychol. 2021;77(3): 587-606. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23036 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23036

Miller AE, Racine SE. Emotion regulation difficulties as common and unique predictors of impulsive behaviors in university students. J Am Coll Health. 2020; 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1799804 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1799804

Peh CX, Shahwan S, Fauziana R, Mahesh MV, Sambasivam R, Zhang Y, Ong SH, Chong SA, Subramaniam M. Emotion dysregulation as a mechanism linking child maltreatment exposure and self-harm behaviors in adolescents. Child Abuse Negl. 2017;67: 383-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.03.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.03.013

Fraley RC, Shaver PR. Adult attachment and the suppression of unwanted thoughts. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1997;73(5): 1080-91. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.73.5.1080 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.73.5.1080

Mikulincer M, Florian V. The association between spouses’ self-reports of attachment styles and representations of family dynamics. Fam Process. 1999;38(1): 69-83. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.1999.00069.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.1999.00069.x

Mikulincer M, Orbach I. Attachment styles and repressive defensiveness: the accessibility and architecture of affective memories. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1995;68(5): 917-25. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.68.5.917 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.68.5.917

Herman JL. Trauma and recovery. New York: Basic books; 2009.

Linehan M. Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. New York: Guilford Press; 1993. 558 p.

Gross JJ, John OP. Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: implications for affect, relationships, and well-being. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003;85(2): 348-62. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.2.348 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.85.2.348

Mikulencer M, Shaver PR. Adult Attachment and Emotion Regulation. En: Cassidy J, Shaver PR, editores. Handbook of attachment: theory, research, and clinical applications. 3rd edition. New York: Guilford Press; 2016.

Waters HS, Waters E. The attachment working models concept: Among other things, we build script-like representations of secure base experiences. Attach Hum Dev. 2006;8(3): 185-97. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616730600856016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616730600856016

Alexander R, Feeney J, Hohaus L, Noller P. Attachment style and coping resources as predictors of coping strategies in the transition to parenthood. Pers Relatsh. 2001;8(2): 137-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2001.tb00032.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2001.tb00032.x

Birnbaum GE, Orr I, Mikulincer M, Florian V. When Marriage Breaks Up-Does Attachment Style Contribute to Coping and Mental Health? J Soc Pers Relatsh. 1997;14(5): 643-54. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407597145004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407597145004

Mikulencer M, Florian V. The relationship between adult attachment styles and emotional and cognitive reactions to stressful events. En: Simpson JA, Rholes WS, editores. Attachment theory and close relationships. New York: Guilford Press; 1998.

Lussier Y, Sabourin S, Turgeon C. Coping Strategies as Moderators of the Relationship between Attachment and Marital Adjustment. J Soc Pers Relatsh. diciembre de 1997;14(6): 777-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407597146004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407597146004

Mikulincer M, Florian V, Weller A. Attachment styles, coping strategies, and posttraumatic psychological distress: The impact of the Gulf War in Israel. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1993;64(5): 817-26. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.64.5.817 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.64.5.817

Simpson JA, Rholes WS, Nelligan JS. Support seeking and support giving within couples in an anxiety-provoking situation: The role of attachment styles. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1992;62(3): 434-46. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.62.3.434 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.62.3.434

Turan B, Osar Z, Turan JM, Ilkova H, Damci T. Dismissing Attachment and Outcome in Diabetes: The Mediating Role of Coping. J Soc Clin Psychol. 2003;22(6): 607-26. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.22.6.607.22933 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.22.6.607.22933

Van Emmichoven IAZ, Van Ijzendoorn MH, De Ruiter C, Brosschot JF. Selective processing of threatening information: Effects of attachment representation and anxiety disorder on attention and memory. Dev Psychopathol. 2003;15(1): 219-37. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954579403000129 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579403000129

Guzmán M, Figueroa P, Trabucco C, Vilca D. Estilos de Apego y Dificultades de Regulación Emocional en Estudiantes Universitarios. Psykhe Santiago. 2016;25(1): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.7764/psykhe.25.1.706 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7764/psykhe.25.1.706

Rodriguez Vasquez ME. Apego adulto y regulación emocional en estudiantes de universidades privadas de Lima. [Lima, Perú]: Pontificia Universidad Católica Del Perú; 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12404/19565

Ozeren GS. The correlation between emotion regulation and attachment styles in undergraduates. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021; ppc.12902. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12902 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12902

Parada‐Fernández P, Herrero‐Fernández D, Oliva‐Macías M, Rohwer H. Analysis of the mediating effect of mentalization on the relationship between attachment styles and emotion dysregulation. Scand J Psychol. 2021;62(3): 312-20. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12717 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12717

Yaghoubipoor M, Seyed Bagheri SH, Khoshab H. The mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation on attachment styles of adolescents with conduct disorders. Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2019;33(5): 20180260. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2018-0260 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2018-0260

Brody LR, Hall JA. Gender, Emotion and Expression. En: Lewis M, Haviland-Jones JM, editores. Handbook of emotions. 2. ed., paperback ed. New York (NY): Guilford Press; 2000.

Tamres LK, Janicki D, Helgeson VS. Sex Differences in Coping Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Review and an Examination of Relative Coping. Personal Soc Psychol Rev. 2002;6(1): 2-30. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327957PSPR0601_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327957PSPR0601_1

Bartholomew K, Horowitz LM. Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1991;61(2): 226-44. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.61.2.226 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.61.2.226