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Priming attachment security improves attitudes towards a range of therapies

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 14:01 authored by Abigail Millings, Katherine B Carnelley, Kate CavanaghKate Cavanagh, Anna Wilderspin, Hannah Wiseman, Angela C Rowe
We sought to understand how attachment orientation influenced attitudes towards different types of psychological therapies. In 2 studies, we i) examined attachment orientation as a predictor of attitudes towards different therapies; and ii) tested whether attachment security priming could improve attitudes. Study 1 (n=339) found associations between attachment orientation and attitudes towards, and likelihood of using different therapies. Positive and negative attitudes about different therapies mediated the relationship between attachment avoidance and likelihood of use. Study 2 (n=412) showed that primed security (versus neutral-prime) improved attitudes towards relational, non-relational and distanced-relational therapies for those with a fearful-avoidant attachment orientation. For relational and distanced-relational therapies, the mechanism of this effect was increased cognitive openness. Attachment orientation is a determinant of therapy attitudes and anticipated help-seeking behaviour. Priming security may promote open-minded decision making about some therapies. Findings are discussed with relevance to attachment theory, research and clinical practice.

Funding

Applying relationship science in contemporary interventions; G1249; ESRC-ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; ES/L001365/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

British Journal of Psychology

ISSN

0007-1269

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

1

Volume

110

Page range

15-39

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-07-02

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-07-08

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-06-29

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