Autonomic correlates of attachment insecurity in a sample of women with eating disorders

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Dias, P (Author) Other; Soares, I (Author) Other; Klein, J (Author) Other; Cunha, JPS (Author) FEUP; Roisman, GI (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Attachment and Human Development

Vol. 13

Pages: 155-167

ISSN: 1461-6734

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

Scopus - 23 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-Y2S

DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2011.554005

Abstract (EN): This study examined associations between attachment insecurity and autonomic response during the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) in a sample of 47 women with eating disorders using a new system for the synchronous acquisition of behavioral and physiological data: the Bio Dual-channel and Representation of Attachment Multimedia System (BioDReAMS; Soares, Cunha, Zhan Jian Li, Pinho, Neves, 1998). Consistent with the emerging literature on the psychophysiology of adult attachment, insecurity was positively correlated with electrodermal reactivity during the AAI. Furthermore, relatively secure patients showed some evidence of parasympathetic withdrawal, which can be conceptualized as evidence of more effective emotion regulation. Results suggest that, even among women with diagnosed psychopathology, security is associated with moreproductive patterns of psychophysiological response to attachment-related challenges.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13