Unseen vulnerability in elite sport: Insecure attachment is hidden behind psychological well-being

Introduction: This study examines how narrative-based attachment representations and associated defense mechanisms relate to adverse childhood experiences and current psychological distress in elite athletes, using a qualitative, interview-based approach.Methods: In a mixed-methods design, attachment representations and attachment styles of 40 adult athletes from Olympic disciplines were assessed using the narratives from the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System, and compared them with 84 non-athletes. Participants also completed standardized self-report measures of attachment security (Relationship Scales Questionnaire), adverse childhood experiences (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), and psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory).Results: Insecure-dismissing attachment representations and deactivating defenses were notably prevalent in the athlete group, despite lower self-reported trauma and distress compared to controls. These findings may suggest that self-report instruments of attachment might have limited sensitivity in elite sport contexts, where emotional suppression and cognitive control might conceal deeper psychological dynamics.Discussion: Our findings underscore the value of qualitative methods in uncovering implicit psychological functioning and suggest that early attachment experiences and unconscious regulation strategies play a critical role in athletes’ mental health. These insights have direct relevance for trauma-informed and attachment-sensitive approaches in sport psychology, early screening, and long-term athlete support.