An Investigation into the Effect of Short-Term Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy with Self-Psychology Approach on Change of Attachment Style in Students with Insecure Attachment

This study examines the effect of short-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy with self-psychology approach on change of attachment style in students with insecure attachment.20 students recognized as having insecure attachment are selected as the sample for this research. 10 students are categorized under the ambivalent attachment and ten others under the avoidant attachment groups. These students filled the Hazan & Shaver attachment style questionnaire. Both groups had received therapy (12 sessions, once every week and individually). Finally the data were analyzed using the dependent T tests, and results show that the said type of therapy can affect the attachment style. It can be concluded that short-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy increases secure and decreases avoidant attachment style scores. However, no significant change is seen in the ambivalence attachment style scores.