Trauma, attachment, emotion regulation and coping mechanisms in mental health

George, Catherine Louise (2018) Trauma, attachment, emotion regulation and coping mechanisms in mental health. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

A significant proportion of the population experience adverse events in childhood. For some, the literature demonstrates that these adverse events contribute towards the later development of severe and enduring mental health problems such as psychosis and borderline personality disorder (BPD). These diagnoses are associated with poor outcomes including reduced Quality of Life (QoL). Whilst we are making progress in our understanding though the advances in theoretical models, reviews of current literature, and new research, the multi-faceted mechanisms and influence of different variables require further exploration.

The first aim of this research was to ascertain if coping mechanisms were related to QoL in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. The second aim was to explore whether BPD, psychosis and control populations differ in their trauma history, symptomatology (psychotic and BPD), attachment style and difficulties in emotion regulation; to assess if trauma type and severity relate to symptomatology, attachment and emotion regulation; and finally, to assess if attachment or emotion regulation influence the relationship between trauma and symptomatology.

A systematic review of the literature generated 2795 studies. Nine studies met inclusion criteria for data synthesis. A quantitative questionnaire-based empirical study involved 120 adult participants (28 BPD, 29 psychoses and 63 controls).

Synthesis demonstrated evidence for a small to medium positive correlation between problem-focused coping and QoL. Between group differences were found for all variables and trauma correlated with all variables. Only emotion regulation mediated the influence of trauma on both BPD and psychotic symptomatology.

More research is required for conclusions to be determined about how coping relates to QoL in schizophrenia. The empirical results evidence the necessity of further research and development towards multifactorial models which incorporate the complex interacting influences of trauma, attachment and emotion regulation. Models should be integrative and be applied beyond diagnostic boundaries to best promote recovery.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Users 9280 not found.
Date Deposited:	16 Nov 2018 13:45
Last Modified:	26 Nov 2018 15:02
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/68933
DOI:

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