Depressiogenic cognition and insecure attachment: a motivational hypothesis

Antigonos Sochos
,
Assi Tsalta

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

A number of studies suggest that dysfunctional and depressiogenic cognitive styles have their origin in insecure attachment relationships between child and caregiver and may be further consolidated in unsupportive adult relationships. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify potential associations among preoccupied and fearful attachment styles, recollections of parental caregiving, and three types of dysfunctional cognition. The findings confirmed the hypotheses that preoccupied and fearful attachment in adult relationships, as well as problematic caregiving in childhood, were associated with depressiogenic and other dysfunctional cognition, most notably generalisation. A motivational hypothesis of cognitive dysfunction is discussed: generalisation may constitute a sub-optimal mechanism of achieving stability in a precarious attachment representation at the cost of increasing vulnerability to depression.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 157-170

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy (Volume 8, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

Published - 01/06/2008

Publication status

Published - 01/06/2008

ISSN

1577-7057

External Publication IDs

handle.net: 10547/251916
Scopus: 54349116146

Access to documents

http://www.ijpsy.com/volumen8/num2/192.html

Publication metrics

Metrics

Scopus

PlumX

Captures