Krasuska, M., Lavda, A., Thompson, A.R. orcid.org/0000-0001-6788-7222 et al. (1 more author) (2018) The role of adult attachment orientation and coping in psychological adjustment to living with skin conditions. British Journal of Dermatology, 178 (6). pp. 1396-1403. ISSN 0007-0963
Abstract
Background
Skin conditions can be associated with significant psychological distress. Investigation of attachment orientation and associated use of coping strategies is a promising perspective from which to investigate psychological adjustment to skin conditions.
Objectives
To examine the role of adult attachment orientation, conceptualized as two dimensions – attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety – in psychological adjustment [appearance‐related distress and skin‐related quality of life (QoL)], and the mediating role of two coping strategies – defeatism and activity.
Methods
Attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety, use of coping strategies, appearance‐related distress and skin‐related QoL were assessed via a cross‐sectional online survey in 207 adults with skin conditions. Multiple mediation analyses were performed using PROCESS pathway analysis.
Results
Overall, higher attachment avoidance and higher attachment anxiety were associated with higher appearance‐related distress and greater impact on emotions and functioning aspects of QoL. For attachment anxiety, the relationship was fully explained by more frequent use of defeatism coping. For attachment avoidance, the relationship was partially explained by more frequent use of defeatism coping (and in the case of appearance‐related distress also more frequent use of activity coping), and higher attachment avoidance was also associated with poorer psychological adjustment in a way that could not be explained by use of assessed coping strategies.
Conclusions
Insecure attachment orientation (high attachment avoidance or high attachment anxiety) is linked to poorer adjustment. People with insecure attachment might benefit from psychological interventions that target underlying attachment orientation.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017 British Association of Dermatologists. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in British Journal of Dermatology. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Psychology (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number BRITISH SKIN FOUNDATION S924 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 22 Dec 2017 10:22 |
Last Modified: | 23 Feb 2024 15:47 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/bjd.16268 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:125510 |