Attachment style is defined by the American Psychological Association as “the characteristic way people relate to others in the context of intimate relationships”. Four attachment styles have been described: secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing. While the effect of attachment style on psychotherapy was widely investigated, few studies have investigated its role in determining beliefs about medicines in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoccupied attachment style and beliefs about medicines in patients with MDD.

27 patients admitted in the Psychiatric Unit of Careggi with diagnosis of MDD were enrolled. Working Alliance Inventory - patient version (WAI-P), Relationship Style Questionnaire (RSQ) and Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) were administered. An ANCOVA model having BMQ total score as dependent variable and age, sex, RSQ preoccupied attachment subscale and WAI-P task subscale as predictors was considered. WAI-P task was intended to assess the role of agreement on therapeutic choices.

The overall model was significant (F(4,22)=9,571, P<0.001) and explained 66.8% of BMQ total score variance (R2=0.668). Both RSQ preoccupied attachment subscale (B=3.331, t(22)=3.907, p=0.001) and WAI-P task subscale (B=0.238, t(22)=4.565, p<0.001) showed a positive correlation with BMQ total scores. RSQ preoccupied attachment subscale explained 44.6% of variance of BMQ total scores (partial η2=0.446), WAI-P task explained 52.3% of variance of BMQ total scores (partial η2= 0.523). Age (B=0.059, t(22)=1.588, p=0.129) and sex (F(1,22)=0.035, p=0.854) had no significant effect.

These preliminary data suggest a possible influence of preoccupied attachment style on beliefs about medicines in patients with MDD.

No significant relationships.

Working Alliance is defined as the emotional bond and the agreement on therapeutic goals and tasks between patients and therapists. Despite the wide use of the construct of working alliance in research on psychotherapy, few studies have investigated the role of working alliance in influencing adherence to pharmacotherapy, and drug attitude. A deeper knowledge of the interplay between working alliance and drug attitude could help to challenge low adherence to psychopharmacological treatments in Major Depressive Disorder.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between working alliance and drug attitude in patients with Major Depressive Disorder.

27 patients admitted in the Psychiatric Unit of Careggi with diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorders were enrolled. Working Alliance Inventory - patient version (WAI-P), Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI) and Beliefs about Medicines (BMQ) were administered. Pearson’s correlation was used to assess relationships between variables.

A significant positive correlation was detected between BMQ total scores, DAI total scores and WAI-P task, bond, and goal subscales.

Such preliminary data suggest a relationship between Working Alliance and drug attitude. This could contribute to provide tools to challenge low adherence to psychopharmacological treatments in patients with Major Depressive Disorder.

No significant relationships.