Research Article

The Relationship Between Adult Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety Disorder: The Role of Parental Bonding in Outpatient Adults

Volume: 16 Number: 2 April 10, 2025
EN

The Relationship Between Adult Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety Disorder: The Role of Parental Bonding in Outpatient Adults

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the connection between attachment styles and social anxiety disorder (SAD) in patients receiving psychiatric outpatient treatment. Methods: The research included 85 participants, comprising 45 individuals diagnosed with SAD and 40 healthy controls. The participants completed assessments on social anxiety, parental bonding, and attachment styles. Results: Participants with SAD showed significantly lower maternal care scores (16.31 ± 2.30) compared to the healthy control group (28.77 ± 6.77, p < .001) and notably lower paternal care scores (16.84 ± 3.14 vs. 25.28 ± 9.28, p < .001). They also exhibited higher avoidant (25.88 ± 7.39 vs. 22.47 ± 6.23, p = .034) and anxious attachment scores (23.65 ± 7.66 vs. 16.80 ± 6.98, p < .001). The Liebowitz Social Phobia Scale scores were positively correlated with avoidant (r = .433, p < .001) and anxious attachment (r = .458, p < .001), while negatively correlated with maternal (r = -.566, p<.001) and paternal care (r=-.384,p<.001). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that insecure attachment styles and inadequate parental care are closely linked to elevated levels of social anxiety. These results underscore the need for considering attachment-based interventions when treating social anxiety disorder.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychiatry

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

March 24, 2025

Publication Date

April 10, 2025

Submission Date

August 11, 2024

Acceptance Date

October 19, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 1970 Volume: 16 Number: 2

EndNote
Gökçay H, Yazıcı Karabulut İ, Çabuk K, Sağaltıcı E, Belli H, Konkan R, Takım U (April 1, 2025) The Relationship Between Adult Attachment Styles and Social Anxiety Disorder: The Role of Parental Bonding in Outpatient Adults. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 2 246–254.