On the nature of attachment in a borderline population: a preliminary investigation

Analyses of interpersonal behavior within a borderline population usually focus on object relations variables. In contrast, this preliminary research focuses on the nature of attachment styles and its relation to behavioral pathology. 24 hospitalized borderline patients were administered an Attachment Style Inventory and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory. Analysis confirms predicted differences in attachment style between the borderline and normal control samples as well as indicates that a dependent style of attachment within this borderline sample is associated with less pathology than an avoidant, hostile, or resistant/ambivalent style. The implications of this preliminary work for full-scale research are addressed.