Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between adult attachment style and health risk behaviors among adult women in a primary care setting.
METHODS
In this analysis of a population of women enrolled in a large health maintenance organization (N=701), we examined the relationship between anxious and avoidant dimensions of adult attachment style and a variety of sexual, substance-related, and other health risk behaviors. After conducting descriptive statistics of the entire population, we determined the relationships between the two attachment dimensions and health behaviors using multiple regression analyses in which we controlled for demographic and socioeconomic factors.
RESULTS
After adjustment for covariates, the anxious dimension of attachment style was significantly associated with increased odds of self-report of having sex without knowing a partner's history, having multiple (≥2) male partners in the past year, and history of having a sexually transmitted infection (ORs [95% CIs]=1.11 [1.03, 1.20], 1.23 [1.04, 1.45]; and 1.17 [1.05, 1.30], respectively). The avoidant attachment dimension was associated with increased odds of being a smoker and not reporting regular seatbelt use (ORs [95% CIs]=1.15 [1.01, 1.30] and 1.16 [1.01, 1.33], respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Both anxious and avoidant dimensions of attachment were associated with health risk behaviors in this study. This framework may be a useful tool to allow primary care clinicians to guide screening and intervention efforts.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Ahrens KR, Ciechanowski P, Katon W

Institution

Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Research Institute/University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States. kym.ahrens@seattlechildrens.org

Source

Journal of psychosomatic research 72:5 2012 May pg 364-70

MeSH

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Female
Health Behavior
Humans
Middle Aged
Object Attachment
Primary Health Care
Risk-Taking
Self Report
Sexual Behavior
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Substance-Related Disorders

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22469278