The relationship between insecure attachment and paranoia in psychosis: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Objectives: Paranoia is a key symptom in psychosis and associated with a range of poor outcomes. Earlier life experiences increase vulnerability to paranoid thinking, and attachment theory has been proposed as a key model in explaining this causal pathway. Previous reviews highlight evidence of associations between insecure attachment styles and overall severity of psychotic symptoms. Studies report on associations between insecure attachment and paranoia, but to date, this literature has not been adequately synthesized. The aim of the current review was to report the strength and consistency of associations between paranoia and insecure attachment across published studies, and provide systematic appraisal of study quality. Method: We carried out a systematic review of electronic databases using search terms to capture concepts of adult attachment, paranoia, and psychosis. We pre-registered the review protocol and followed PRISMA guidelines. Results: Significant associations were reported in 11 out of 12 studies between an insecure attachment and paranoia, with associations remaining significant in studies that controlled for comorbid symptoms. The strongest, most commonly reported relationship was between an anxious attachment style and paranoia. Conclusions: The findings support the proposed role of attachment insecurity in the development and maintenance of paranoia in psychosis and highlight the need to address insecure attachment representations in the treatment of paranoia. Practitioner points: There is consistent evidence of associations between insecure attachment style and paranoia. Insecure anxious attachment is more consistently associated with paranoia than an insecure avoidant attachment. Associations between attachment and paranoia remain significant when key confounders are controlled for in the analyses. Interventions that address insecure attachment representations and promote a more secure attachment are likely to help reduce paranoia.