
We sought to understand how attachment orientation influenced attitudes towards different types of psychological therapies. In two studies, we (1) examined attachment orientation as a predictor of attitudes towards different therapies and (2) tested whether attachment security priming could improve attitudes. Study 1 ( n = 339) found associations between attachment orientation and attitudes towards, and likelihood of using different therapies. Positive and negative attitudes about different therapies mediated the relationship between attachment avoidance and likelihood of use. Study 2 ( n = 412) showed that primed security (vs. neutral prime) improved attitudes towards relational, non‐relational and distanced‐relational therapies for those with a fearful‐avoidant attachment orientation. For relational and distanced‐relational therapies, the mechanism of this effect was increased cognitive openness. Attachment orientation is a determinant of therapy attitudes and anticipated help‐seeking behaviour. Priming security may promote open‐minded decision‐making about some therapies. Findings are discussed with relevance to attachment theory, research and clinical practice.
Adult, Male, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Decision Making, 150, 610, Models, Psychological, name=Social Cognition, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/cognitive_science, Cognition, Help-Seeking Behavior, name=Cognitive Science, Avoidance Learning, Humans, therapy attitudes, attachment, security priming, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/social_cognition, Fear, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Object Attachment, Psychotherapy, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/cognitive_science; name=Cognitive Science, Female, therapeutic relationship, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/social_cognition; name=Social Cognition
Adult, Male, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Decision Making, 150, 610, Models, Psychological, name=Social Cognition, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/cognitive_science, Cognition, Help-Seeking Behavior, name=Cognitive Science, Avoidance Learning, Humans, therapy attitudes, attachment, security priming, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/social_cognition, Fear, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Object Attachment, Psychotherapy, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/cognitive_science; name=Cognitive Science, Female, therapeutic relationship, /dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/social_cognition; name=Social Cognition
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 13 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
