The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Insecure Attachment Styles

Abstract

Mindfulness has been spreading rapidly in the study and practice of Western psychology. Large amounts of research have shown that mindfulness training is effective in improving a variety of symptoms associated with physical and psychological disorders such as chronic pain, anxiety and depression. Moreover, mindfulness training is also proven to improve the level of dispositional mindfulness as well as psychological well-being. Since individuals with insecure attachment styles who have either high anxiety or high avoidance in intimate relationships were found to have more severe psychological anguish, such as depression and anxiety, mindfulness training may be applied to alleviate the negative effects brought by insecure attachment styles. This article is aimed at reviewing related studies on attachment and mindfulness and exploring how the negative effects of insecure attachment can be alleviated by the application of mindfulness training. The author came to the conclusion that the negative effects of insecure attachment on individuals’ well-being and emotion regulation can be alleviated by mindfulness-based interventions. In addition, the author predicts that mindfulness-based interventions can effectively improve attachment insecurity, but more meta-analyses are needed.