Insecure attachment styles in adolescents at risk for eating disorders

Abstract

The present study examines insecure attachment styles in female adolescents, who are at risk for developing eating disorders. A second goal was to investigate whether attachment styles differentiate between high risk for anorexia and high risk for bulimia. A total of 150 adolescents were divided into four risk groups: High risk for anorexia, high risk for bulimia, medium risk and control group. The attachment styles were assessed using the Experience in Close Relationships Scale and the Relationship Questionnaire. Anxiety Attachment, but not Avoidance Attachment, was found to characterize those adolescents who are at risk for ED (AN + BN), and especially for those at high-risk for BN. The present results do not support the notion of an avoidance of emotional intimacy, characterizing the avoidant attachment style of those presenting with AN. Preoccupied Attachment style was found to characterize high-risk for BN, but not high-risk for AN, while the Insecure, Fearful, and Dismissing Attachment types did not differentiate between these two high-risk groups. This study highlights the dominant attachment style in adolescents at high risk for developing ED: The Anxiety Attachment style for AN and BN, and the Preoccupied Attachment style for BN but not for AN.

Plain language summary

The present study examines to what degree insecure attachment styles characterize pre-clinical female adolescents, who are at risk for developing eating disorders (EDs). A second goal was to investigate whether attachment styles differentiate between high risk for anorexia (AN) and high risk for bulimia (BN). The main contribution of this study is in highlighting the dominant attachment style of the preclinical adolescent who is at high risk for developing ED. This is the Anxiety Attachment style for AN and BN, and the Preoccupied Attachment style for BN but not for AN.