Cited by 260Psychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsAttachment and Relationship DynamicsPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

The relationship between adult attachment style and therapeutic alliance in individual psychotherapy: A meta-analytic review.

Diener, Marc J., Monroe, Joel M.·2011·Psychotherapy

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between adult attachment style and therapeutic alliance in individual psychotherapy. Search procedures yielded 17 independent samples (total N = 886, average n = 52, standard deviation = 24) for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Results indicated that greater attachment security was associated with stronger therapeutic alliances, whereas greater attachment insecurity was associated with weaker therapeutic alliances, with an overall weighted effect size of r = .17, p < .001 (95% confidence interval = .10-.23). Publication bias analyses did not indicate any cause for concern regarding the results. The data were not demonstrably heterogeneous (Q = 6.10, df = 16, p = .99), and all between-study moderator analyses were nonsignificant (p values > .10) with the exception of the source of alliance ratings; results indicated that patient-rated alliance demonstrated a significantly larger relationship with attachment compared with therapist-rated alliance (Qbetween = 3.95, df = 1, p = .047). Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved).

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Crossref · 10.1037/a0022425

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Authors
Diener, M. J., & Monroe, J. M.
Affiliations
Argosy University (US)
Venue
Psychotherapy
Published
2011
Volume
48
Issue
3
Pages
237-248
ISSN
  • 0033-3204 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1536
OpenAlex
W1993917807
Cited by
260
References
69
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 11
FWCI
18.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
adult attachment styles, therapeutic relationship, individual psychotherapy, attachment security, insecure attachment
MeSH terms
Adult, Mental Disorders, Cooperative Behavior, Humans, Object Attachment, Professional-Patient Relations, Psychological Theory, Psychotherapy, Transference, Psychology, Treatment Outcome

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