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INVITED PAPER

Attachment and Eating Disorders: A Review of Current


Research
ABSTRACT mediated by perfectionism and affect
Giorgio A. Tasca, PhD* Objective: Attachment insecurity may regulation strategies. Type of attachment
Louise Balfour, PhD confer risk for developing an eating disor- insecurity had specific negative impacts
der. We describe domains of attachment on psychotherapy processes and out-
functioning that are relevant to eating comes, such that higher attachment
disorders including: affect regulation, avoidance may lead to dropping out and
interpersonal style, coherence of mind, higher attachment anxiety may lead to
and reflective functioning. Research since poorer treatment outcomes.
2000 on attachment and eating disorders
Discussion: Research to date suggests a
related to these domains is reviewed.
possible relationship between attach-
Method: We searched MedLine/Pubmed ment insecurity and risk for an eating dis-
and PsycINFO from January 2000 to Feb- order. More research is needed that uses
ruary 2014 and kept articles that: were attachment interviews, and longitudinal
empirical, included adults with a diag- and case control designs. Clinicians can
nosed eating disorder, and used a stand- assess attachment insecurity to help
ard attachment measure. We retained 50 inform therapeutic stances and interven-
relevant studies. tions. V
C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Results: Compared to controls, those Keywords: attachment; eating disor-


with eating disorders had higher levels of
ders; anorexia nervosa; bulimia nerv-
attachment insecurity and disorganized
osa; binge eating disorder
mental states. Lower reflective function-
ing was specifically associated with ano-
(Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:710–717)
rexia nervosa. Attachment anxiety was
associated with eating disorder symptom
severity, and this relationship may be

Introduction and these develop into internal working models of


attachment.6 Internal working models become the
Over the past 40 years attachment theory1 has bases for consistent ways in which children and
emerged as one of the most important frameworks adults interact with the world, experience them-
for understanding relationship functioning and selves and others, and regulate affect. These func-
affect regulation.2 In particular, attachment theory tions, especially affect regulation have implications
provides a developmental and contextual perspec- for eating disorder psychopathology.
tive on adult functioning. Although originally a
Categories of attachment were originally identi-
theory of child development and adaptation,1,3 the
fied by Ainsworth3 who observed separation and
model has been applied to adult functioning4 and
adult mental health.5 According to the theory, reunion events between infants and mothers in
attachment behaviors (e.g., crying, following, gaz- naturalistic and laboratory settings. Main4
ing, grasping) in human infants are necessary to extended this work to assessing parallel adult states
ensure proximity to a caregiver. Repeated interac- of mind through the Adult Attachment Interview
tions with a caregiver in infancy and childhood (AAI). Both Ainsworth and Main identified securely
become encoded in the implicit memory system, and insecurely attached individuals, with attach-
ment insecurity being further divided into dismiss-
Accepted 6 May 2014
ing (i.e., avoidant) and preoccupied (i.e., anxious)
Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online states in adults. Another category of disorganized
version of this article. attachment related to loss or trauma was later
*Correspondence to: Giorgio A. Tasca, PhD; 501 Smyth Road, Box
44, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1G0H9. E-mail: gtasca@toh.on.ca
identified by Main.7 Secure and insecure categori-
The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, zation is remarkably stable as demonstrated by
Canada longitudinal studies from infancy to adulthood,
Published online 23 May 2014 in Wiley Online Library
(wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI: 10.1002/eat.22302 though changes in attachments over time were
C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
V observed especially in low risk samples.8

710 International Journal of Eating Disorders 47:7 710–717 2014


ATTACHMENT AND EATING DISORDERS

Four domains of attachment functioning are rel- ability to appreciate others’ internal experiences.11
evant to eating disorders: (1) affect regulation, (2) On the other hand, those with greater attachment
interpersonal style, (3) coherence of mind, and (4) anxiety tend to be highly preoccupied with attach-
reflective functioning. In this review, we will ment relationships especially regarding potential
describe each of the attachment categories (secure, loss or abandonment.10 These individuals likely
avoidant, anxious) with particular emphasis on hyper-activate their affective system so that they
these four domains of functioning. Then we will often re-access emotional experiences especially
review some of the research since 2000 on adult related to loss or hurt.9 As a result of their hyper-
attachment and eating disorders that touch upon activated emotions, their coherence of mind suffers
these four domains, and conclude with some rec- because current anger and/or self loathing inter-
ommendations for research and practice. feres with their narrative discourse about attach-
ment relationships.4 Reflective functioning also
tends to be impaired since these individuals may
struggle with understanding the separateness of
Adult Attachment mental states, and their intense emotions may
Individuals with greater attachment security are make it difficult to take a reflective perspective on
characterized by the ability to adaptively regulate their own or others internal experiences.11
affect so that they can maintain a measured Authors of a meta-analysis that included over
approach and response to interpersonal stressors 10,000 AAIs12 reported that in non-clinical samples
and/or the absence of attachment figures.9 Inter- 58% were classified as secure, 23% as dismissing
personally, these individuals are able to accept inti- (i.e., avoidant), 19% as preoccupied (i.e., anxious),
macy, and express love and support to others and 18% received a superimposed classification of
without feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or dismis- disorganized. In clinical samples, 27% were classi-
sive.10 Coherence of mind in the securely attached fied as secure, 37% as preoccupied, and 37% as dis-
is characterized by discourse related to attachment missing; 43% were additionally classified as
figures that: is consistent and relevant, provides an disorganized. Hence, insecure and disorganized
adequate amount of information, and is collabora- states were over-represented in clinical samples,
tive given the conversational context. Coherent dis- including in those with post traumatic stress disor-
course indicates an ability to maintain a mindful der, borderline personality disorder, and depressive
and balanced state of mind when discussing attach- disorders. Research suggests a clear association
ment relationships.4 Reflective functioning (i.e., between infant disorganized attachment and disso-
mentalizing) in securely attached individuals is ciative symptoms in early adulthood, and between
characterized by: recognizing that one’s own mental infant resistant attachment and anxiety disorders in
state and mental states of others are separate, mak- adolescence.5 Longitudinal studies point to an
ing an explicit effort to identify that mental states increased probability of adult psychopathology
underlie behavior, and appreciating that one‘s among those with insecure versus secure attach-
understanding of others‘ mental states may remain ment in childhood.13
incomplete.11 Reflective functioning is key for abil- One of the controversies and difficulties with
ities like empathy. regard to attachment research is related to the
Individuals with greater attachment avoidance methods by which attachment is measured. Attach-
are characterized by a dismissing view of the ment research has advanced along two relatively
importance of relationships, especially attachment independent lines. First, developmental researchers
relationships.10 These individuals minimize their have relied on observational ratings of attachment
emotional experiences so that emotions may be in children or interviews with adults such as the
cut-off from experience, and they may have diffi- AAI.4 The AAI measures current mental states with
culty expressing their feelings.9 Coherence of mind regard to attachment, and is not necessarily an
tends to be low especially because those with autobiographical measure of what actually occurred
greater attachment avoidance have a difficult time in childhood. That is, the main distinction between
generating relevant attachment memories in their secure and insecure adult mental states on the AAI
discourse. Further, the amount of information they is based on the patterns of speech in response to 20
provide about attachment relationships is often questions mainly about experiences with primary
sparse.4 In addition, when they do consider close caregivers. This method typically categorizes indi-
relationships, they may unrealistically idealize or viduals as secure or insecure (i.e., with insecure fur-
be derogatory regarding attachment figures thus ther divided into dismissing or preoccupied), with a
limiting their reflective functioning, i.e., their possible additional categorization of disorganized

International Journal of Eating Disorders 47:7 710–717 2014 711


TASCA AND BALFOUR

mental states with regard to trauma or loss. A ‘Attachment’ and ‘Eating Disorder’ or ‘Anorexia Nerv-
dimensional scale of reflective functioning may also osa’ or ‘Bulimia’ or ‘Binge Eating Disorder’. Only
be rated using AAI transcripts.11 Second, social psy- results published from January 2000 to February
chological researchers have developed a variety of 2014 were examined in detail, yielding an initial 185
self report measures of adult attachment that often papers. These works were then screened for English
focus on current relationships including romantic language. Further, to be included, the studies had to:
relationships. Self report measures tend to result in be empirical research with greater than six partici-
dimensional scales, such as attachment avoidance pants (i.e., excluding case studies and theoretical
or attachment anxiety.14A high score on one scale papers); include adults (>17 years) with a diagnosed
but not the other indicates greater attachment eating disorder in the sample; and use a standard
avoidance or anxiety, respectively. Low scores on and valid self report measure of attachment or stand-
both scales indicate attachment security, and high ard coding of an attachment interview.
scores on both scales indicate fearful attachment.15 Using these criteria, 46 studies were classified as
Nevertheless, the scales are commonly treated as meeting criteria for review. Recent reviews of AAI
dimensional. These two methods of measuring research18,19 were used to find four additional rele-
attachment (i.e., interview versus self report) tend to vant studies through their reference sections. The
be poorly correlated.16 Likely, these two approaches current review is organized along the themes indi-
assess different and perhaps complementary cated above, and focused on studies that address
aspects of attachment. That is, the AAI measures the following domains relevant to eating disorders:
unconscious states of mind related to attachment in affect regulation, interpersonal style, coherence of
adults, whereas self reports likely tap into con- mind, and reflective functioning. Hence, our
sciously available information about one’s interper- review included 32 of the 50 studies. A complete
sonal relationships and affect regulation. The AAI is list of the 50 studies is available as online support-
time consuming and challenging to learn and ing information.
achieve reliability, and so the number of studies
using the AAI in eating disorder samples tends to be
few with small sample sizes. Self reports are much Attachment and Eating Disorders
easier to administer. Hence there has been a prolif- Research
eration of attachment research using self reports rel-
ative to studies using the AAI. Attachment Insecurity and Reflective
As indicated, one purpose of this paper is to pro- Functioning
vide a review of the current state of attachment A recent meta analysis of attachment, social com-
research in eating disorders. Reviews that have munication, and social processes in eating disor-
been published in recent years have focused ders20 reported that compared to non-clinical
almost exclusively on AAI research.17–19 The cur- controls, those with eating disorders had greater
rent review will include findings from the AAI and attachment insecurity measured by self report, and
self-report measures, but will be limited to adult the effect size was large (d 5 1.31). This was the sec-
clinical samples with eating disorders, and since ond largest effect size, after negative self evaluation
2000. Rather than provide a comprehensive review (d 5 2.27), of all of the 11 social process variables
of every study published during that period, we will that were reviewed. Similar findings regarding AAI
focus on five themes related to eating disorders: (1) research were reported by Kuipers and Bekker.17
the prevalence of attachment insecurity and the The prevalence of attachment insecurity in eating
level of reflective functioning; (2) the association disorder samples ranged from 70%21,22 to 100%.23
between attachment insecurity and eating disorder Several studies reported higher incidence of avoi-
diagnosis or symptom severity; (3) mechanisms by dant attachment style compared to anxious attach-
which attachment may affect eating disorders;(4) ment in samples including anorexia nervosa (AN),
associations with trauma and disorganized mental bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder
states; and (5) the impact on treatment processes (BED).21,24,25 However not many studies reported
and outcomes. this comparison and so we make no conclusions at
this stage of the research regarding relative preva-
lence of each attachment insecurity category in the
population of those with an eating disorder.
Search Strategy and Results
An emerging line of research looks at the role of
We searched the databases MedLine/Pubmed and mentalizing or reflective functioning in eating dis-
PsychINFO using a combination of the key terms orders. Bateman and Fonagy26 argued that

712 International Journal of Eating Disorders 47:7 710–717 2014


ATTACHMENT AND EATING DISORDERS

problems in early attachments and/or later trauma The possible transdiagnostic importance of
could disrupt the ability to mentalize, which in turn attachment insecurity in part is indicated by
may impair affect regulation. Concurrently, binging research that examines the relationship between
and purging or restrictive eating behaviors may be attachment insecurity and eating disorder symp-
related to under- or over-controlled affect regula- tom severity. In particular, need for approval, an
tion, respectively.27,28 In a review of three empirical aspect of attachment anxiety is positively associ-
studies, Kuipers and Bekker17 found that reflective ated with body dissatisfaction and eating disorder
functioning as assessed through the AAI was signifi- psychopathology independent of personality
cantly lower in eating disorder samples largely dimensions, demographics, eating disorder diag-
made up of those with AN. A recent study published nosis, and depression.35,40–42 Preoccupation with
after that review reported similar levels of reflective relationships and fear of abandonment, especially
functioning in patients with BN and controls, how- when expressed as needing others’ approval, may
ever, the distribution of reflective functioning was be a particularly problematic attachment-related
bimodal in the BN sample.29 In other words, some insecurity that may put individuals at risk for
patients with BN had higher reflective functioning greater eating disorder symptom severity.
than non-clinical controls but many had lower
reflective functioning than controls, suggesting dis-
tinct subgroups within BN with regard to mentaliz- Possible Mechanisms
ing. In the only study to compare eating disorder As indicated, attachment insecurity, and perhaps
patients to psychiatric patients and non-clinical attachment anxiety in particular, may confer spe-
controls, Fonagy et al.30 found that inpatients with cific risk for greater eating disorder symptom sever-
eating disorders (therefore likely with AN) had sig- ity such as body dissatisfaction.35,40–42 However,
nificantly lower reflective functioning scores com- only few studies to date have assessed the possible
pared to both psychiatric and non-clinical mechanisms by which attachment insecurity may
comparison groups. This study and others31,32 sug- affect eating disorder psychopathology. In a recent
gest that lower abilities to mentalize may be a spe- large clinical study using self reports in a mixed
cific feature of eating disorder diagnoses, especially diagnostic sample, Dakanalis et al.37 found that mal-
AN. The cumulative research to date on reflective adaptive perfectionism mediated the relationship
functioning and AN is consistent with research on between insecure attachment patterns and eating
theory of mind that found that unconscious decod- disorder symptoms. The authors argued that attach-
ing of others’ emotions without cognitive deduction ment anxiety or avoidance could be a risk factor to
was impaired in patients with AN.33 sensitize one to the negative effects of maladaptive
perfectionism. In another large mixed diagnostic
Attachment Insecurity and Eating Disorder sample, Tasca et al.43 found that affect regulation
Diagnosis or Severity characterized by hyper-activation of emotions
Researchers have looked at whether there is a mediated the relationship between attachment anx-
relationship between eating disorder diagnosis and iety and eating disorder symptoms. However,
attachment category. Based on the literature on per- attachment avoidance had a direct relationship to
sonality and eating disorders34 one could speculate, eating disorder symptoms not mediated by cutting
for example that those who binge and purge (i.e., off of emotions. Similarly, researchers reported neg-
who have BN) may show greater attachment anxiety ative affect and alexithymia were mediators of the
associated with affect dysregulation, whereas those relationship between insecure attachment and
who engage in dietary restriction (i.e., who have AN) restrained eating or body dissatisfaction, respec-
may have greater attachment avoidance character- tively.44,45 These studies, although large and trans-
ized by down-playing of affect. Some studies show diagnostic, were cross sectional in nature thus
significant specific, though inconsistent, differences limiting conclusions about causal relationships.
in attachment categories or scales among eating dis- Nevertheless, the research to date suggests malad-
order diagnostic groups,23,24,35,36 but other studies aptive perfectionism and problematic affect regula-
did not find differences.17,37–39 The inconsistent tion as potential mechanisms to explain how
findings are not affected by the method by which attachment insecurity might put someone at risk for
attachment was assessed (AAI or self report). At this or might maintain an eating disorder.37,43
stage, we conclude that type of attachment insecur-
ity is not necessarily related to a specific eating dis-
order diagnosis, although attachment insecurity Trauma, Loss, and Disorganized Mental States
may be related to severity of eating disorder symp- Childhood trauma, abuse, and loss occur at a high
toms across diagnostic groups. rate among those with eating disorders.46 In a cross

International Journal of Eating Disorders 47:7 710–717 2014 713


TASCA AND BALFOUR

sectional study using self reports, researchers47 found therapy demands for closeness and cohesion, and
that retrospective reporting of childhood trauma was this may have precipitate their dropping out.
directly associated with core eating disorder psycho- Higher pre-treatment attachment anxiety was
pathology. In addition, attachment avoidance and associated with poorer outcomes in the day treat-
attachment anxiety each independently and partly ment of AN35,54 and in group therapy for those with
explained this direct relationship. The authors argued BED who received GCBT.51 Conversely, higher
that childhood adversity might lead to attachment attachment anxiety was associated with relatively
insecurity, which in turn may maintain or make better treatment outcomes for those with BED if
some vulnerable to eating disorder symptoms. As they received GPIP. Follow up research indicated
well, some researchers reported that the interaction that those with BED and higher attachment anxiety
between childhood trauma and the short (S) allele of may have required an increasing sense of group
the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism engagement, cohesion, and alliance in order to
(5HTTLPR) accounted for greater attachment anxiety benefit from group treatment.52,55 Tasca
in women with BN.48 et al. 51,52,55
suggested that group treatment that
Attachment theory indicates that childhood specifically focused on affect regulation, interper-
adversity could have disorganizing effects on adult sonal sensitivities, and developing group cohesion
mental states, and disorganized mental states are (i.e., GPIP), which are key elements of attachment
associated with significant psychopathology anxiety, may have made this treatment modality
among adults.12 Several studies using the AAI more relevant and perhaps more effective for these
reported high levels of disorganized mental states participants.
in those with eating disorders,18,23 including Only one small scale exploratory study associ-
among those with BED24 and AN.32,49 In an inter- ated the AAI to psychotherapy processes in an eat-
esting study, Ward et al.32 found that not only were ing disorder sample.56 In that study, preoccupied
patients with AN reporting unresolved trauma and (anxiously attached) patients with BN had more
loss, but disorganized mental states were highly and longer speaking turns, and initiated speaking
prevalent among their mothers. This finding, which more frequently than dismissing (avoidantly
needs to be replicated, suggests possible transge- attached) patients with BN. These findings suggest
nerational transmission of disorganized mental that attachment states of mind as assessed by the
states in patients with AN, which could add to risk AAI may have an impact on the manner in which
for AN. patients with BN make use of psychotherapy. Evi-
dence from research on non-eating disorder
patient groups suggest that psychological treat-
Attachment and Psychotherapy Processes and ments can change attachment states of mind from
Outcomes insecure to secure.57 Such research using the AAI in
Much of the research to date on attachment and a sample of those with eating disorders has not yet
psychological interventions for eating disorders been published. However, studies using self reports
comes from the work of Tasca et al. on day treat- in patients with BED suggest that attachment inse-
ment for BN, AN, and eating disorder not otherwise curity can improve up to 1 year post group treat-
specified (EDNOS), and on group therapy for BED. ment.58,59 The effect of attachment states of mind
These studies used self reports of attachment as assessed by the AAI on treatment processes and
styles. Pre-treatment attachment avoidance was outcomes in eating disorders remains an important
associated with dropping out of day treatment for and largely untapped area of research.
AN50 and dropping out of group cognitive behav-
ioral therapy (GCBT) for BED.51 Attachment avoid-
ance was also associated with problematic group Recommendations for Attachment Research in
treatment processes. For example, greater attach- Eating Disorders
ment avoidance in patients with BED was related Our examination of AAI research in eating disor-
to a decreasing therapeutic alliance in group psy- ders highlighted the limited number of such stud-
chodynamic interpersonal psychotherapy (GPIP).52 ies. In addition, with one recent exception,29
Attachment avoidance was also associated with sample sizes in these AAI studies are quite small.
lower group cohesion in the day treatment of a We are aware of at least two research groups who
mixed diagnostic sample.53 Illing et al.53 suggested are currently conducting larger AAI studies in BN60
that despite the apparent dismissiveness of those and BED.61 Psychotherapy research using the AAI
with greater attachment avoidance, these patients to assess change in attachment states of mind and
were likely highly sensitive to implicit group their interaction with treatment type will add to

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ATTACHMENT AND EATING DISORDERS

our knowledge of treatment processes and out- tic alliance and dropping out of treatment.50–52
comes for those with eating disorders. Research on Despite outward appearances these individuals are
the impact of reflective functioning and disorgan- highly sensitive and tend to react negatively to
ized mental states on symptom maintenance and pressures to self disclose, to bond with the thera-
severity will inform our understanding of potential pist or group, and to express emotions. Distress
risk and maintenance factors for eating disorders. caused by such pressures may precipitate prema-
However, due to the time and cost associated with ture treatment termination among those high in
AAI research, we expect that the vast majority of attachment avoidance. Although in general these
studies likely will continue to use self report meas- patients may benefit from increasing their emo-
ures of attachment. tional experiences and reducing interpersonal dis-
Regardless of measurement approach, research tance, they will require a therapeutic approach that
on the mechanisms by which attachment insecur- takes a graded and gradual approach to self disclo-
ity affects the maintenance of eating disorder sure and affective expression. On the other hand,
symptoms would clarify the nature and impact of those with greater attachment anxiety require an
attachment functioning, and would suggest targets early and ongoing sense of increased therapeutic
for interventions. To date, this research has been alliance or group cohesion to benefit from ther-
cross sectional in nature. Prospective, longitudinal, apy.51,52,55 However, often their attachment anxiety
and case control studies are needed to truly under- interferes with their ability to be reflective and to
stand the potential risk for eating disorders con- make the best use of treatment. Helping those with
ferred by attachment insecurity and the greater attachment anxiety to distance from their
mechanisms by which this occurs. Further, the emotions may improve their mentalizing capacities
roles of childhood adversity and family environ- with regard to themselves and others. Improved
ment and their interaction with attachment inse- reflective functioning could help those with greater
curity could inform specific prevention and attachment anxiety to take a step back from their
treatment programs. Finally, research showed that overwhelming anger, self loathing, and fears asso-
serotonin dysregulation may be a mechanism by ciated with relationship loss.
which attachment insecurity and/or childhood In summary, although still relatively new, attach-
adversity leads to BN symptoms.48 Such research ment research in eating disorders has important clin-
could point to potential gene by attachment envi- ical utility by helping to inform clinicians on effective
ronment interactions that are detrimental for therapeutic stances that are specific to type of patient
women who binge eat. attachment insecurity. As indicated, longitudinal
research in community samples shows that attach-
ment insecurity and disorganization in infancy con-
Practice Implications fers greater risk for adult psychopathology in
Individuals with eating disorders and attach- general.5 Whether these elevate the specific risk for
ment avoidance or attachment anxiety have dif- an eating disorder is currently unknown, though
fering affect regulation approaches and cross sectional research suggests mechanisms by
interpersonal styles that affect their interactions which attachment insecurity may affect eating disor-
with treatment providers and their behaviors in der symptoms.37,44 Further, longitudinal research in
therapy. Clinicians may consider assessing other samples has shown that biological vulnerabil-
attachment insecurity by self report or by inter- ities likely interact with early attachment insecurity
view. Tasca et al.62 reference data on clinical and and disorganization to confer risk for adult psycho-
non-clinical samples that clinicians can use to pathology.64 Similarly, adult attachment insecurity
help interpret self report and AAI scales. Peder- may interact with biological vulnerabilities for those
sen et al.29 provide similar data for reflective who binge eat.48 Research on attachment functioning
functioning among patients with BN. among those with eating disorders provides a prom-
Evidence-based treatment-oriented practice ising avenue to further understand developmental
reviews now exist for attachment insecurity in gen- risk factors, symptom maintenance, and treatment
eral63 and for eating disorders in particular.62 processes and outcomes.
Assessing and understanding a patient’s level and
quality of attachment insecurity could provide a Giorgio A. Tasca holds the Research Chair in Psycho-
map for clinicians on how to personalize therapy therapy Research, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa
and therapeutic stances to optimize patient out- Hospital. The authors thank Livia Chyurlia for her help in
comes. Individuals with attachment avoidance are preparing the manuscript.
at risk for experiencing a decrease in the therapeu-

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TASCA AND BALFOUR

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