Tsalta, Assi and Sochos, Antigonos (2008) Depressiogenic cognition and insecure attachment. A motivational hypothesis. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 8 (2). pp. 157-170. ISSN 1577-7057 Full text available

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Abstract

A number of studies suggest that dysfunctional and depressiogenic cognitive styles have their origin in insecure attachment relationships between child and caregiver and may be further consolidated in unsupportive adult relationships. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify potential associations among preoccupied and fearful attachment styles, recollections of parental caregiving, and three types of dysfunctional cognition. The findings confirmed the hypotheses that preoccupied and fearful attachment in adult relationships, as well as problematic caregiving in childhood, were associated with depressiogenic and other dysfunctional cognition, most notably generalisation. A motivational hypothesis of cognitive dysfunction is discussed: generalisation may constitute a sub-optimal mechanism of achieving stability in a precarious attachment representation at the cost of increasing vulnerability to depression.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Depression, Cognitive Styles, Attachment Styles, Dysfuntional Cognition, Parental Caregiving, Parent Child Relations
Subjects:	Families > Parent Child Relations/Parenthood Disabilities & Disorders (mental & physical) > Depression Emotions, Affective Psychology > Attachment/Affectional Bonds
URI:	https://repository.tavistockandportman.ac.uk/id/eprint/336

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