Effect of Attachment Style on Selective Attention in Panic Disorder

Bibliographic Data

ID21559165
AuthorsOttilia Klipsch (Heidelberg University), Henning Schauenburg (0000-0001-6803-0722, Heidelberg University), Christoph Nikendei (0000-0003-2839-178X, Heidelberg University), Cord Benecke (0000-0002-7977-5102, University of Kassel), Ulrike Dinger (0000-0002-4126-5676, Heidelberg University)
Year2020
Volume39
Issue6
Pages523-560
Publication date2020-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Clinical Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0736-7236 • E-ISSN: 1943-2771
PublisherGuilford Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1521/jscp.2020.39.6.523
OpenAlexW3086736773
LanguageEN
References cited80

Introduction: Given the heterogeneity of results in the attentional bias to threatening information in patients with panic disorder, we investigated the attentional bias toward threat and the moderating effect of attachment styles in a female-only sample of panic patients and a nonclinical control group. Methods: Female panic patients (n = 47) were compared to a female control group (n = 47) using a modified Dot Probe Task with body-related and interpersonal threat as well as attachment positive words. Results: An attentional bias toward threat words was not replicated. Furthermore, there was no moderation effect on attentional bias by attachment styles. However, high attachment avoidance was associated with faster reaction times (RT) in attachment positive compared to attachment threat trials in both groups. In the patient group, attachment anxiety was associated with faster RT in panic threat trials compared to attachment positive trials. Anxiously attached controls reacted faster to attachment positive vs. attachment threat trials. Discussion: No attentional bias was found in the present study. However, the findings suggest that attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety differently influence attention responses to trials that include different emotional stimuli in clinical and nonclinical, female participants. Attachment insecurity may modify attention when processing trials including both, threat and positive stimuli

Anxiety · Attachment theory · Attentional bias · Developmental psychology · Insecure attachment · Moderation · Panic · Panic disorder · Psychiatry · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Psychology · Social Psychology