Cargando…

The Interplay of Attachment Styles and Defense Mechanisms on Eating Disorders Risk: Cross-Sectional Observation in the Community Population

OBJECTIVE: Eating Disorders (Eds) are considered a broad group of pathological conditions characterized by dysregulated eating-related behaviors and habits. Attachment styles and defense mechanisms appear to be linked to the development of EDs-related unhealthy behaviors; however, these factors have...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Lenzo, Vittorio, Sardella, Alberto, Barberis, Nadia, Isgrò, Carmen, Torrisi, Roberta, Giunta, Serena, Petralia, Maria Cristina, Verrastro, Valeria, Quattropani, Maria C.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Giovanni Fioriti Editore srl 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8808290/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35126531
http://dx.doi.org/10.36131/cnfioritieditore20210603
Descripción
Sumario:OBJECTIVE: Eating Disorders (Eds) are considered a broad group of pathological conditions characterized by dysregulated eating-related behaviors and habits. Attachment styles and defense mechanisms appear to be linked to the development of EDs-related unhealthy behaviors; however, these factors have been seldom investigated jointly. This study aimed at exploring the shared association between attachment styles, defense mechanisms, and EDs-related behaviors; additionally, we aimed at investigating whether defense mechanisms might be potential mediators of the association between attachment and Eds behaviors. METHOD: A community-based sample was recruited (88% females, mean age= 22.33 ± 4.81 years) and underwent a comprehensive evaluation protocol assessing attachment styles, defense mechanisms, and risk of eating disorders. RESULTS: Several shared associations between attachment styles, defense mechanisms, and eating disorders scores were found. Additionally, a maladaptive defense style appeared to be a significant mediator of the association between attachment styles and EDs-related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated evaluation of attachment and defense mechanisms could generate a more comprehensive framework of the psychological antecedents related to Eating Disorders, and it could be a beneficial factor involved in therapies.