Self-reported reflective functioning mediates the association between attachment insecurity and well-being among psychotherapists

Psychotherapy Research, vol. 31, pp. 247–257

Abstract

Objective: Subjective well-being is a crucial variable for mental health practitioners. This study examines the influence of therapists’ attachment dimensions and self-reported reflective functioning on their perceived well-being. Further, it examines if reflective functioning mediates the association between attachment insecurity and well-being. Method: A total of 416 experienced psychotherapists were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, and completed self-report measures of attachment insecurity, reflective functioning, and well-being. We tested the hypothesized mediation model with path analysis that examined indirect effects. Results: Both attachment anxiety and avoidance dimensions had a significant negative association with perceived well-being with small to medium effects. “Certainty” in reflective functioning had a small positive effect on therapist well-being. Reflective functioning mediated the association between insecure attachment dimensions and well-being, suggesting that therapist's lower ability to mentalize may partially account for the effects of higher attachment insecurity on lower well-being. Conclusion: The well-being of psychotherapists with greater insecure attachment may deserve special attention, and therapists’ mentalizing capacities may be targeted by researchers and trainers as a core ability to be cultivated in order to preserve therapists’ professional and personal resources.

Authors 11

1. Agostino Brugnera corresponding

   University of Bergamo

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy

2. Cristina Zarbo

   University of Bergamo · Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy

   Unit of Epidemiological and Evaluation Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy

   2 Unit of Epidemiological and Evaluation Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy

3. Angelo Compare

   University of Bergamo

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy

4. Alessandro Talia

   Heidelberg University · University Hospital Heidelberg

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Psychosocial Prevention, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

5. Giorgio Angelo Tasca

   University of Ottawa

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

6. Kim de Jong Aachen Institute of Psychology, Leiden University

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands

7. Andrea Greco

   University of Bergamo

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy

8. Francesco Greco
   Affiliation as printed

   Private Practice, Bologna, Italy

9. Luca Pievani

   University of Bergamo

   Affiliation as printed

   Scuola di Psicoterapia Integrata, Bergamo, Italy

10. Adalberto Auteri

    University of Bergamo

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy

11. Gianluca Lo Coco

    University of Palermo

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy