Measuring attachment representation in an FMRI environment: a pilot study

Psychopathology
Anna BuchheimHenrik Walter

Abstract

This exploratory study is the first to examine the neural correlates of attachment status in adults. The study examined the feasibility of assessing attachment narratives in the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) environment by challenging subjects to tell attachment stories to specific attachment pictures from the Adult Attachment Projective (AAP) while being scanned. We investigated theoretically derived hypotheses regarding predicted differences in the brain activation patterns of individuals whose attachment status was organized (resolved) versus disorganized (unresolved) with respect to attachment trauma (e.g., as associated with loss through death, abuse, threat of abandonment). Adult attachment was assessed using the AAP, a new representational attachment measure that we thought might be suitable for use in the fMRI environment. This measure was used to obtain a preliminary picture of the neural processes associated with the activation of attachment in 11 healthy female adults. Results are reported from a second-level analysis (p < 0.001 uncorrected) and confirm that the AAP is a feasible measure for use in a neuroimaging environment. Cerebral activation during continuous speech yielded results consistent with ...Continue Reading

References

Oct 1, 1993·Child Development·G Spangler, K E Grossmann
Oct 19, 1999·The British Journal of Medical Psychology·C George, M West
Nov 4, 2000·Cognition·T T KircherA S David
Feb 24, 2001·Neuroreport·T T KircherP K McGuire
Nov 16, 2001·Attachment & Human Development·M West, C George
Oct 3, 2002·Annual Review of Psychology·Morton Ann Gernsbacher, Michael P Kaschak
Oct 3, 2002·Annual Review of Psychology·Randi C Martin
Dec 24, 2002·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Kevin N OchsnerJohn D E Gabrieli
Feb 5, 2003·Brain : a Journal of Neurology·Martina PiefkeGereon R Fink
Aug 30, 2003·Biological Psychiatry·Mary L PhillipsRichard Lane
Oct 31, 2003·Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior·Hans J MarkowitschMichael O Russ

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 17, 2009·Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review·Christopher A KearneyAmie Lemos-Miller
Aug 24, 2011·Journal of Personality Assessment·Carol George, Malcolm West
Feb 24, 2012·Journal of Personality Assessment·Justin D Smith, Carol George
Jan 26, 2010·Psychotherapy Research : Journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research·James W LougheadRuben C Gur
Oct 31, 2012·Attachment & Human Development·Madelon M E RiemSerge A R B Rombouts
Nov 26, 2010·Psychological Science·Stacie L WarrenWendy Heller
Nov 2, 2013·Perceptual and Motor Skills·Elisa DelvecchioClaudia Mazzeschi
Sep 18, 2012·Infant Behavior & Development·Heidemarie K Laurent, Jennifer C Ablow
Apr 7, 2010·Progress in Neurobiology·C E ParsonsM L Kringelbach
Apr 7, 2009·Human Brain Mapping·Thomas SuslowPatricia Ohrmann
Mar 16, 2007·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·James E SwainLane Strathearn
Mar 3, 2009·Biological Psychiatry·Peter J FreedJ John Mann
Nov 3, 2010·Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry·James E Swain
Jul 15, 2015·Neuroscience·H Schneider-HassloffT Kircher
Oct 19, 2014·Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·Luke NormanAnke Karl
Sep 18, 2010·Journal of Psychosomatic Research·Paula RavitzWilliam Lancee
Mar 10, 2015·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Manuela Gander, Anna Buchheim
Aug 19, 2016·Frontiers in Psychology·Elisabeth M BalintAnna Buchheim
Oct 5, 2016·Psychology and Psychotherapy·Susanna PalliniFiorenzo Laghi
Oct 26, 2013·Clinical Case Studies·Anna TarocchiJustin D Smith
May 8, 2016·Psychological Reports·Elisa DelvecchioSilvia Salcuni
Jan 23, 2019·European Eating Disorders Review : the Journal of the Eating Disorders Association·Simon MaierAndreas A B Joos
Jul 9, 2008·The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry : the Official Journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry·Irem YaluğHuseyin Kutlu
Jun 17, 2020·Scientific Reports·Grazia Fernanda SpitoniMaddalena Boccia
Nov 18, 2016·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Theresia WichmannDan Pokorny
Dec 23, 2016·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Sabrina KrauseAnna Buchheim
Feb 9, 2017·Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience·Martin DebbanéPascal Vrtička
Jan 5, 2021·Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings·A S J van der WattS Seedat
Feb 25, 2020·Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior·Madison LongPascal Vrtička
Jun 15, 2021·Journal of Personality Assessment·Raja M DavidJustin D Smith

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Amygdala and Midbrain Dopamine

The midbrain dopamine system is widely studied for its involvement in emotional and motivational behavior. Some of these neurons receive information from the amygdala and project throughout the cortex. When the circuit and transmission of dopamine is disrupted symptoms may present. Here is the latest research on the amygdala and midbrain dopamine.

Anxiety Disorders

Discover the latest research on anxiety disorders including agoraphobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder here.

Amygdala: Sensory Processes

Amygdalae, nuclei clusters located in the temporal lobe of the brain, play a role in memory, emotional responses, and decision-making. Here is the latest research on sensory processes in the amygdala.