Attachment styles in adult intimate relationships: comparing women with bulimia nervosa symptoms, women with depression and women with no clinical symptoms

Objective Previous studies examining attachment styles in women with eating problems have investigated parental or peer relationships; this study investigated attachment styles in partner relationships. Women with clinical levels of bulimic symptoms (N = 55), subclinical bulimic symptoms (N = 42), depression but no eating problems (N = 44) and no eating or depressed problems (N = 80) from largely a community sample participated. Method Participants who responded to advertisements completed self-report questionnaires. Results Women with eating disorders and depression reported insecure attachment to partners and negative feelings towards their partner. Women in the control group reported secure attachment and positive feelings towards their partner. Discussion Insecure attachment and poor-quality relationships are problematic for women with clinical disturbances. Further exploration of treatment and development of models of aetiology and maintenance of these disorders should consider functioning in relationships.