Impact of parental mental illness in the attachment style of cluster B personality disorders

Abstract

[EN] Introduction: Cluster B personality disorders are the most controversial conditions in the psychopathological spectrum. Attachment seems to be a relevant factor in the development of these disorders. Emerging studies have focused on the impact of parental mental illness (PMI) on the psychopathological traits of the offspring. Therefore, the main objective is to assess the impact of PMI antecedents in the attachment style of individuals with PD-Bs.__ Methods: A total number of 298 subjects were recruited for the study (148 healthy control and 150 cluster B PD subjects). Descriptive information was collected and ECR scale was administered. Chi-square and t-test analyses were developed for descriptive analyses. General linear models were developed to assess the impact of PMI in the attachment style of these individuals.__ Results: Cluster B PD groups presented significantly higher scores than the control group in attachment anxiety and avoidance, as well as the cluster B PD with PMI group presenting higher levels of attachment anxiety comparing to the other case group. Regarding the impact of PMI in the attachment style, these models have explained 25.8% of the variability of attachment anxiety and 9% of attachment avoidance.__ Discussion: Attachment might impact the development of cluster B PDs and the presence of PMI could lead to an even more anxious attachment pattern, suggesting that PMI might be a risk factor for a dysfunctional development of the attachment system. Moreover, the association between PMI and cluster B PD in the offspring could be related to dysfunctional attachment patterns established during childhood.