Attachment and compassion in an adult population
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Attachment and compassion in an adult population
IRAS ID
228175
Contact name
Kathleen J Singer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Attachment theory provides a framework for conceptualising an individual’s developmental knowledge of human interactions. An individual’s unique application of their attachment experiences, and resultant behaviour, in interpersonal relationships is known as their attachment organisation. A minority of individuals (~15%) lack a coherent organisation in their response to attachment related stressors) and are therefore said to display disorganised attachment which is associated with a variety of complex mental health issues.
Evidence suggests attachment is associated with compassion. Self-compassion and a compassionate stance from/to others may be more difficult to manage, or even disorienting, for individuals with disorganised attachment who have experiences of previous attachment figures who trigger “fright without solution”. This may influence patient’s responses to the therapist and thus the efficacy of therapy.
Using the Psychosis Measure of Attachment (PAM) for adults at assessment we will describe patterns of attachment including disorganisation. This study aims to explore the association between attachment disorganisation (as measured by the PAM) and compassion, measured using the Narrative Interview for Compassion. It is hypothesised that those who are classified as disorganised in their attachment will show lower levels of compassion for others and for self.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
17/WS/0229
Date of REC Opinion
21 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion