The relationship between attachment style, empathy level and social functioning in depressive patients

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between attachment style, empathy level, and social functioning in depressive patients. Method: A total of 100 patients (63 women, 37 men) ages 18 65 who were diagnosed with major disorder (n=76) or a bipolar episode (n=24) 54 (39 15 healthy controls enrolled. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Anxiety (HAM-A), Basic Empathy (BES), Adult Attachment Style Questionnaire (AAQ), Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) administered all participants results analyzed. Results: had lower BES cognitive subdimension scores than controls. score negatively correlated duration most recent HDRS FAST interpersonal scores, positively number episodes. Cognitive more impaired chronic depression those recurrent depression. style not scores. secure higher insecure (avoidant anxious/ambivalent) Conclusion: this indicated that an reduced may be associated Impaired leading play role etiopathogenesis These risk factors for chronicity recurrence should taken into consideration treatment process.