The DOI matches its Crossref record; 90 of the 90 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Changes in attachment representations during psychological therapy
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This review systematically examines research that investigates changes in adult attachment representations during psychological therapy. METHOD: Studies from two adult attachment approaches are reviewed (interview and self-report) with the aim of concluding whether psychotherapy can improve attachment representations. To guide the interpretation of findings, the methodological quality of studies is assessed. RESULTS: The results suggest that attachment security increases following therapy, whereas attachment anxiety decreases following therapy. Findings are unclear with regard to attachment avoidance. Improvements are observed across different methodologies, patient groups, therapeutic approaches, and therapy settings. Findings also appear to be consistent across different levels of study quality. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, research supports the suggestion that attachment styles may alter during the course of psychotherapy, but further controlled trials are required to confirm this conclusion.
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In the citing paper
“Therapy has the potential for enhancing attachment security (Taylor et al. 2015).”
From Reciprocal Dynamics of Therapeutic Alliance and Depressive Symptoms in Inpatient Cognitive Behavioural Analysis System of Psychotherapy: The Role of Attachment Insecurity. (2025) · cites this paper as Taylor et al. 2015
In the citing paper
“However, the results on AR avoidance were less clear.”
From Get secure soon: attachment in abused adolescents and young adults before and after trauma-focused cognitive processing therapy. (2021) · cites this paper as [28]
In the citing paper
“In a recent review, Taylor et al. [28] included 14 studies on changes in adult attachment representations after psychological treatment. The majority showed an improvement in attachment following treatment, especially an increase in secure attachment patterns and a decrease in AR anxiety.”
From Get secure soon: attachment in abused adolescents and young adults before and after trauma-focused cognitive processing therapy. (2021) · cites this paper as [28]
Citations
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- 10.1037//0022-0006X.64.2.264 · DOI
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Attachment in Adulthood: Recent Developments, Emerging Debates, and Future Directions
Fraley, R. C. (2019) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-102813 · Cited by 341
Williams, J., Bucci, S., Berry, K., & Varese, F. (2018) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2018.05.009 · Cited by 146
Self-citationA systematic review of adult attachment and social anxiety
Manning, R. P. C., Dickson, J. M., Palmier-Claus, J., Cunliffe, A., & Taylor, P. J. (2017) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.020 · Cited by 107
Self-citationStruck, N., Krug, A., Feldmann, M., Yüksel, D., Stein, F., Schmitt, S., Meller, T., Brosch, K., Dannlowski, U., Meinert, S. L., et al. (2020) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.04.041 · Cited by 107
The Role of Therapist Attachment in Alliance and Outcome: A Systematic Literature Review
Degnan, A., Seymour‐Hyde, A., Harris, A., & Berry, K. (2014) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.1937 · Cited by 101
Self-citation
Metadata
- Authors
- Taylor, P., Rietzschel, J., Danquah, A., & Berry, K.
- Affiliations
- University of Liverpool (GB)
- Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Taylor, Peter
- Venue
- Psychotherapy Research
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2014-02-21
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 222-238
- ISSN
- 1050-3307 (ISSN-L)
- 1468-4381
- OpenAlex
- W2019674006
- Cited by
- 150
- References
- 90
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4
- FWCI
- 13.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychotherapy Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- attachment representations, adult attachment, psychotherapy outcome, attachment security, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, attachment styles, therapeutic change
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Object Attachment, Psychotherapy, Treatment Outcome
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