Parental Attachment in Individuals with Depressive Disorders: A Descriptive Qualitative

Attachment styles influence childhood internalization patterns, affecting cognitive and emotional development in adulthood. This research aims to deepen the understanding of attachment styles among individuals with depressive disorders. Using a descriptive qualitative method, the study involves three early adulthood participants (aged 20-40 years) clinically diagnosed with depressive disorders without psychosis. Participants were selected using snowball sampling within a continuous network or chain of relationships. Data collection methods included interviews, secondary data, and observations. Data analysis followed three stages: data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The study found that all participants experienced cognitive distortions, such as negative self-thoughts, leading to depressive symptoms. Additionally, there were indications of a history of depressive disorders in the mothers of participants 1 and 3, significantly impacting attachment formation. The research also revealed that, regarding trust, all three participants indicated their parents lacked understanding and respect for their needs and desires. In terms of communication, all participants had poor verbal communication and lacked emotional support from their parents as primary attachment figures. Regarding alienation, participants 1 and 2 felt sadness when not close to their parents, while participant 3 avoided closeness with their mother. Issues with trust, communication, and alienation may contribute to depressive symptoms, anxiety, and psychological disorders among the participants.