Depression Study: Attachment Style Key to Therapy Success
A groundbreaking randomized controlled trial (RCT) has shed new light on the treatment of depression, showing that patients' attachment orientation can significantly influence the effectiveness of different therapies. The study, a first of its kind, was designed to test if patients' attachment styles moderate treatment outcomes for depression.
The research, published in a leading psychology journal, found that patients with higher levels of attachment avoidance benefited most from supportive therapy (ST), which fosters emotional closeness. Conversely, patients with high anxiety-prone attachment styles found cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) particularly effective. Interestingly, patients with disorganized attachment, characterized by high anxiety and avoidance, benefited more from supportive-expressive therapy (SET).
The study also demonstrated the utility of RCTs designed to test differential treatment effects based on theoretical models of mechanisms of change. According to attachment theory, patients may benefit most from a treatment condition that is opposite to their characteristic level of activation of the anxiety management system. While attachment orientation has shown promise as a moderator, past studies have yielded mixed results.
This RCT underscores the potential of tailoring treatment based on pretreatment characteristics, a precision medicine approach that could optimize outcomes for patients with depression. Future research should build on these findings to further refine and personalize therapeutic interventions.
