This video answers the questions: What is the attachment theory? How does attachment theory relate to personality disorders?

Some researchers believe that attachment theory may be able to partially explain the development of anxiety, depression, personality disorders, as well as other factors like marital problems, poor academic performance, and other negative outcomes. Attachment styles may be a major determining factor in the organization of personality and etiological for psychopathology.

Attachment model from Bartholomew and Horowitz:
1. secure attachment: this is considered healthy attachment, we see a capacity maintain close relationships without losing a sense of autonomy, placing value on intimate friendships, and being thoughtful when discussing relationships
2. dismissing attachment: with this style we see someone who has restricted emotions, flat affect, they downplay the importance of close relationships, they place a strong emphasis on being self-reliant and independent, and they are not clear and trustworthy when they discuss relationships
3. preoccupied attachment: here we see someone who needs other people to accept them, they have a tendency to idealize others, they are overinvolved in close relationships, and we see exaggerated emotionality and incoherence when discussing relationships
4. fearful attachment: here we see someone who avoids close relationships because they are afraid of rejection, they tend to distrust other people and they feel insecure


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