Evaluation of the short form of "Experience in Close Relationships" (Revised, German Version "ECR-RD12") - A tool to measure adult attachment in primary care

Attachment theory helps us to understand patients' health behavior. Attachment styles might explain patient differences in coping behavior, self-treatment, or patient-provider relationships. In primary care time constrains are relevant. A short instrument may facilitate screening and assessment in daily medical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate a 12-item short version of the Experience in Close Relationships-revised (ECR-R-D) to be used in primary care settings. We included 249 patients from ten general practices in central Germany into a cross-sectional study. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to evaluate the factor structure of the ECR-items. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency. The results related to the short form of the ECR are in line with those of the German full-length version of the measure (ECR-RD 36). Internal consistencies were in an adequate range. The ECR short form can be recommended as a screening measure of attachment styles in primary care

Data from: The influence of adult attachment on patient self-management in primary care

Objective: Self-management strategies are essential elements of evidence-based treatment in patients with chronic conditions in primary care. Our objective was to analyse different self-management skills and behaviours and their association to adult attachment in primary care patients with multiple chronic conditions. Methods: In the apricare study (Adult Attachment in Primary Care) we used a prospective longitudinal design to examine the association between adult attachment and self-management in primary care patients with multimorbidity. The attachment dimensions avoidance and anxiety were measured using the ECR-RD. Self-management skills were measured by the FERUS (motivation to change, coping, self-efficacy, hope, social support) and self-management-behaviour by the DSMQ (glucose management, dietary control, physical activity, health-care use). Clinical diagnosis and severity of disease were assessed by the patients’ GPs. Multivariate analyses (GLM) were used to assess the relationship between the dimensions of adult attachment and patient self-management. Results: 219 patients in primary care with multiple chronic conditions (type II diabetes, hypertension and at least one other chronic condition) between the ages of 50 and 85 were included in the study. The attachment dimension anxiety was positively associated with motivation to change and negatively associated with coping, self-efficacy and hope, dietary control and physical activity. Avoidance was negatively associated with coping, self-efficacy, social support and health care use. Conclusion: The two attachment dimensions anxiety and avoidance are associated with different components of self-management. A personalized, attachment-based view on patients with chronic diseases could be the key to effective, individual self-management approaches in primary care

attachment and self management _engl_decimal seperator point

Data from primary care patients with multiple chronic disease

Characteristics of the study sample (N = 219).

<p>Characteristics of the study sample (N = 219).</p

Factors that influence self-management behaviour (DSMQ) at follow-up; Results of the Multivariate analysis with the General Linear Model (GLM).

<p>*p≤0.05</p><p>** P≤0.01</p><p>***p≤0.001</p><p>t1 = baseline; t2 = follow up (after 12 months)</p><p>Factors that influence self-management behaviour (DSMQ) at follow-up; Results of the Multivariate analysis with the General Linear Model (GLM).</p

Evaluation of the short form of “Experience in Close Relationships” (Revised, German Version “ECR-RD12”) - A tool to measure adult attachment in primary care

<div><p>Attachment theory helps us to understand patients´ health behavior. Attachment styles might explain patient differences in coping behavior, self-treatment, or patient-provider relationships. In primary care time constrains are relevant. A short instrument may facilitate screening and assessment in daily medical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate a 12-item short version of the Experience in Close Relationships-revised (ECR-R-D) to be used in primary care settings. We included 249 patients from ten general practices in central Germany into a cross-sectional study. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to evaluate the factor structure of the ECR-items. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess internal consistency. The results related to the short form of the ECR are in line with those of the German full-length version of the measure (ECR-RD 36). Internal consistencies were in an adequate range. The ECR short form can be recommended as a screening measure of attachment styles in primary care.</p></div

Factors that influence self-management skills measured with the subscales of FERUS at baseline and follow-up; Results of the Multivariate analysis with the General Linear Model (GLM).

<p>*p≤0.05</p><p>** P≤0.01</p><p>***p≤0.001</p><p>t1 = baseline; t2 = follow up (after 12 months)</p><p>Factors that influence self-management skills measured with the subscales of FERUS at baseline and follow-up; Results of the Multivariate analysis with the General Linear Model (GLM).</p

Results of the factor analysis.

<p>Results of the factor analysis.</p

Description of the study population (N = 249).

<p>Description of the study population (N = 249).</p

Description of the ECR-RD12 items.

<p>Description of the ECR-RD12 items.</p