Using personality traits and attachment styles to predict people's preference of psychotherapeutic orientation

Aim This study examined whether people's personality traits and attachment styles would predict their preference for one of three common psychotherapies (psychodynamic, person‐centred and cognitive‐behavioural therapy). Method An online survey was administered to participants (n = 209) for remuneration. Personality traits were measured using the HEXACO‐60; attachment was measured using the Relation‐ships Questionnaire; preference for psychotherapeutic orientation was assessed using the Preferences for Psychotherapy Approaches Scale. Results Regression analyses indicated that various personality traits and attachment styles predict preference of therapeutic orientation. Specifically, the data indicated that openness and secure attachment significantly predicted preference of psychodynamic psychotherapy. No personality traits or attachment styles significantly predicted person‐centred preference. Lastly, previous study of psychology and fearful attachment significantly predicted preference of cognitive‐behavioural psychotherapy. Conclusion This study's findings provide supporting evidence for the claim that people's personality traits and attachment styles are predictive of their preferences for various psychotherapies. Implications for further research are discussed.