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Cited by 110Eating Disorders and BehaviorsAttachment and Relationship DynamicsPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

Attachment and eating disorders: a research update

Tasca, Giorgio A·2019·Current Opinion in Psychology
DOI 10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.03.003
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Abstract

Prominent models of eating disorders tend to focus on cognitive and behavioral features, but tend not to consider important developmental issues related to affect regulation, interpersonal style, self concept, and mentalization-all of which are well conceptualized within attachment theory. Higher levels of attachment insecurity across diagnoses are related to greater eating disorder symptoms. Low parental care and early trauma may lead to attachment insecurity that then might lead to greater eating disorder symptoms. The association between insecure attachment and eating disorder severity is likely mediated by affect dysregulation and perfectionism. Recent research using the Adult Attachment Interview highlights the importance of reflective functioning in predicting treatment response and therapeutic processes, and on the utility of therapies that increase mentalization.

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References 34 · Cited by 110

Authors
Tasca, G. A.
Affiliations
University of Ottawa (CA)
Corresponding author
Tasca, Giorgio A
ORCID
Tasca, Giorgio A
Venue
Current Opinion in Psychology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-02
Volume
25
Pages
59-64
ISSN
2352-250X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.03.003
OpenAlex
W2794245926
Cited by
110
References
34
Citations by year
2025: 14 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 8
FWCI
1.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
attachment theory, eating disorders, insecure attachment, emotion regulation, mentalization, reflective functioning, parental care, early trauma, perfectionism, Adult Attachment Interview, treatment response, interpersonal style, self-concept
MeSH terms
Mentalization, Emotional Regulation, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Child, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Object Attachment, Parent-Child Relations, Psychological Theory, Self Concept, Theory of Mind

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