Attachment styles and dysfunctional assumptions in adults

The association between adult attachment styles and dysfunctional assumptions has been investigated in two independent samples (n=110, and n=125 respectively) of healthy subjects. The second study being aimed at a replication of the first one. Two measures of adult attachment: Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) and the Attachment Styles Questionnaire (ASQ) were used for assessing attachment styles. The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale-A (DAS-A), and the Dysfunctional Working Models Scale (DWM-S) were administered to assess dysfunctional assumptions. Two predictions were made: (a) a negative relationship was expected to occur between measures of secure attachment and dysfunctional assumptions scores, and (b) a positive association was predicted between measures of insecure attachment and dysfunctional assumptions scores. Both predictions were supported by statistically significant correlations with coefficients ranging from −0.25 to 0.66. The results are discussed in relation to the integrating model of individual vulnerability suggested by Perris.