Mindfulness and Attachment Security as Predictors of Sucess in Therapy

Abstract

This work focuses on the role of mindfulness and attachment security as agents of change in successful therapy. Two studies were conducted to investigate the mechanisms underlying change that may lead to successful therapy - as reflected in symptomology reduction. Study 1 included 28 clients recruited from two college counseling centers. Measurements of state attachment, mindfulness, depression, and general anxiety were collected daily, as were pre-post trait measurements of these constructs. Results revealed a significant association between short (biweekly) and long (five week) increases in secure attachment and state mindfulness, and corresponding reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Decreased state avoidant attachment was associated with reductions in both depression and general anxiety, whereas decreased state attachment anxiety was associated with reductions in depression and not general anxiety. Only increased secure state attachment was associated with positive short- and long-term therapeutic changes, whereas increased mindfulness was associated with only short-term changes. A second non-clinical sample showed a slightly different pattern, specifically that increases in state secure attachment and concomitant decreases in state attachment anxiety were predictive of reductions in depressed and anxious mood. Together these results indicate the importance of attachment and mindfulness as agents of change in therapy, especially the importance of reducing avoidant attachment in treating depression, and of increasing mindfulness in treating anxiety. The importance of reducing avoidant attachment seems unique to therapy, as this association was not found in a non-clinical sample.