Within a randomized controlled trial contrasting the outcome of manualized cognitive-behavioral CBT and short term psychodynamic therapy PDT compared to a waiting list condition the SOPHO-Net trial , we set out to test whether self-reported attachment characteristics change during the treatments and if these changes differ between treatments. Post-therapy, patients treated with CBT revealed significant changes in attachment anxiety and avoidance whereas patients treated with PDT showed no significant changes.
Changes between post-treatment and the two follow-ups were significant in both conditions, with minimal insignificant differences between treatments at the month follow-up. The current study supports recent reviews of mostly naturalistic studies indicating changes in attachment as a result of psychotherapy. Although there were differences between conditions at the end of treatment, these largely disappeared during the follow-up period which is line with the other results of the SOPHO-NET trial.
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Additionally, interested researchers may contact Prof. Falk Leichsenring with data access requests using the following email address: Falk. Leichsenring psycho. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Actual dyadic experiences and related expectations are internalized into internal working models of attachment in later life, reflecting basic beliefs about oneself as worthy, loveable, and competent and about others as available and responsive. Securely attached adults consider themselves as worthy of care and affection of others, perceive significant others as trustworthy and well-intentioned, and they find it easy to get close to others [ 2 ].
