PhD defence E.M.M. (Evelyn) van Bussel

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

Attachment plays an important role in recovery from psychosis

New research shows that the way people form close relationships is associated with recovery from psychosis. People with insecure attachment styles generally experience lower levels of personal recovery and more severe psychological symptoms.

The thesis examined how insecure attachment relates to different aspects of recovery among people with a psychotic disorder, including psychotic symptoms, personal recovery, and social functioning.

The findings show that people with insecure attachment styles reported lower levels of personal recovery and experienced more severe psychotic symptoms, as well as higher levels of general symptoms (depression and anxiety). Insecure attachment was only weakly associated with social functioning. Depressive symptoms partly explained this relationship, suggesting that depression may play an important role in the link between attachment and social functioning.

The study also explored the relationship between attachment and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as well as later re-victimization. Emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and

exposure to domestic violence were the most commonly reported adverse childhood experiences. A disorganized attachment style was particularly common among people who had experienced severe childhood adversity, especially among those who had also experienced re-victimization later in life.

“These findings show that recovery from psychosis is about more than reducing symptoms. Understanding how people experience relationships and how earlier life experiences may shape these patterns can help us provide care that better fits each person’s needs.”

The findings highlight the importance of integrating attachment into person-centred and recovery-oriented approaches to psychosis.