The Association Between Self-Report Attachment Dimensions and the Rorschach Oral Dependency Scale in a Sample of Czech Adults

Abstract

This study examines the association between dimensions of ECR (attachment-related avoidance and anxiety) and the Rorschach Oral Dependency scale ( Bornstein & Masling, 2005 ) on a sample of Czech adults. It points out the association between ECR and relevant Rorschach CS variables ( Exner, 2003 ). Our research sample consists of 31 volunteers from the Czech Republic. The average age of the participants was 24.9 years, the age range from 19 to 47 years. The results indicate that attachment anxiety measured by ECR is significantly associated with the ROD score, but elaborated correlations between the ROD score and attachment anxiety show a significant association only in the group of participants without psychiatric or psychological care in their past (n = 18; r = 0.683, p < .01). There were no significant correlations between self-reported attachment dimensions and the selected CS variables (textures, active and passive movements, food). Our findings seem to be consistent with the attachment theory – people with high level of attachment anxiety are often described as dependent. We discuss our findings with regards to the discrepancy between self-report measures and performance based tools.