Studying Attachment Types and Social Interaction Styles Among Depressive Patients in the Context of Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Abstract

Introduction. At present, the effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy in treating depression is beyond reasonable doubt. Meanwhile, research articles on many important aspects of interpersonal psychotherapy are scarcely available. This study focuses on factors influencing attachment types and interaction styles in depressive patients during interpersonal psychotherapy. Methods. The sample consisted of 100 respondents aged 16–60 years with various types of depression who have received interpersonal therapy. To assess attachment styles the study used the Interpersonal Style Questionnaire (ISQ) and the Measure of Attachment Qualities (MAQ). Results. The women (n = 64) to men (n = 36) ratio of the study participants corresponds to a 2:1 female/male depression ratio in the general population. The mean age was 33 years old in the study sample (95 %, CI = 30.8–35.3). According to the diagnoses patients were categorized into the following groups: (a) depressive episode (F32) – 74 patients (74 %), (b) recurrent depressive disorder (F33) – 16 patients, (c) other depressive disorders (F38) – 10 patients. The authors found significant associations between attachment types and social communication styles that were important for depressive patients’ social functioning. Discussion. Attachment types and interaction styles play a significant role in interpersonal psychotherapy of depression. For this reason, the major tasks of psychotherapy involve the creation of secure attachment and constructive interaction along with reduction of depressive symptoms.

Keywords

• депрессия
• интерперсональная психотерапия
• амбивалентно-тревожная привязанность
• амбивалентно-поглощающая привязанность
• избегающий тип привязанности
• безопасный тип привязанности
• открытость
• дистанцирование
• доминирование
• подчинение