Analysis of the attachment style in adults with and without a diagnosis of anxiety disorder

In this study, attachment styles were examined in adults with and without anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder and its types are discussed according to DSM-V. The sample of the study consists of 50 adult patients (outpatient clinic and ward patients) diagnosed with anxiety disorder and 25 adult individuals without any psychiatric diagnosis. Participants' attachment styles and anxiety levels were measured in the study. First of all, a pre-interview of approximately 25 minutes was made with the patients. Then, personal data were obtained using the "Sociodemographic Information Form". "Relationship Scales Questionnaire" was used to measure attachment style and "Beck Anxiety Inventory" was used to measure anxiety level. The data obtained in the research were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 program. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests, which are nonparametric tests, were used to examine whether there was a significant relationship between participants' anxiety levels and attachment styles. No significant difference was found between the participants with and without anxiety disorder in terms of attachment styles sub-dimensions, as well as gender, family type and discipline type. According to the results of the statistics, the participants diagnosed with anxiety disorder raised by the caregiver got significantly higher scores in the indifferent attachment sub-dimension compared to the participants who were raised only by the mother and the parents. Among the participants who were not diagnosed with anxiety disorder, those who were "adequately controlled" grew up with discipline had a significantly higher score in the secure attachment subdimension compared to the participants who were raised with "little control". Participants who were not diagnosed with anxiety disorder and grew out of interest had significantly lower scores in the secure attachment sub-dimension and significantly higher in the fearful attachment sub-dimension compared to those in the other group. The findings were discussed throughly and suggestions were made in the context of the related literature. Keywords: Attachment, Attachment Styles, Anxiety Disorder, Adult Attachment