Exploring attachment and couple relationships in endometriosis: A pilot study

Cristina Sechi, Monica Ahmad, Ilaria Rosas, Laura Vismara
In: Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders · 2024 · vol. 17(1) , pp. 12–19 · doi:10.1177/22840265241282745 · W4403440751
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This pilot study found that women with endometriosis reported higher paternal and maternal control, less paternal care, more insecure adult attachment, and lower relationship satisfaction compared to a control group.

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Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is the therapeutic and clinical complexity extends beyond its effects on the body’s organic system, with psychological and social impacts. However, studies analyzing the quality of attachment and couple adjustment, beyond the effects on sexuality and fertility, are currently lacking. Methods: The main objective of this study was to investigate the quality of past attachment by means of the Parental Bonding Instrument, current attachment through the Relationship Questionnaire, and the perception of couple quality and satisfaction by means of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, in a sample of 68 women aged between 23 and 54 years. Results: The analysis revealed that women with endometriosis reported experiencing greater paternal and maternal control, and less paternal care compared to those in the control group. Moreover, women in the endometriosis group exhibited a higher degree of insecure attachment in adult intimate relationships when compared to the predominantly secure control group. Regarding the DAS, women with endometriosis reported lower scores than the control group. Conclusion: Despite the limitations of a pilot study, it provides a foundational basis for future research aiming to explore endometriosis within the context of women’s relationships. It also contributes to the planning of prevention and support programs for significant figures in women’s lives.
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Abstract

Introduction:

Methods

Results:

Conclusion

Introduction

Materials and methods

Participants and procedures | EG | HG | t | d | χ2 | r | | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Age (years)d | 32.17 (7.04) | 29.38 (5.67) | 1.876 | 0.44 | || | Education (years) | |||||| | 12–13a | 15 (41.7) | 12 (37.5) | 0.73 | −0.01 | || | 17 or 18b | 9 (25) | 11 (34.4) | |||| | 20c | 12 (33.3) | 9 (28.1) | |||| | Romantic relationship (years)d | 8.42 (6.34) | 6.94 (9.47) | 0.76 | 0.18 | || | Children (N)e | 0.58 (0.69) | 0.84 (0.88) | −1.36 | 0.33 | Measurement Parental Bonding Instrument Relationship Questionnaire Dyadic Adjustment Scale Data analysis | EG | HG | t | d | | |---|---|---|---|---| | Parental bonding | |||| | Paternal care M (SD) | 18.53 (9.85) | 22.28 (9.49) | −1.596 | 0.39 | | Paternal overprotection M (SD) | 16.17 (7.77) | 11.19 (5.24) | 3.050** | 0.75 | | Maternal care M (SD) | 24.11 (9.42) | 27.00 (7.54) | −1.385 | 0.34 | | Maternal overprotection M (SD) | 18.20 (7.49) | 13.28 (6.17) | 2.918** | 0.72 | | Attachment styles | |||| | Secure N (%) | 8 (22.2) | 19 (59.4) | || | Dismissing N (%) | 12 (33.3) | 5 (15.6) | || | Preoccupied N (%) | 3 (8.3) | 2 (3.6) | || | Fearful N (%) | 13 (36.1) | 6 (18.8) | || | Secure M (SD) | 3.36 (1.93) | 4.72 (1.62) | −3.127** | 0.76 | | Dismissing M (SD) | 3.67 (1.76) | 2.94 (1.64) | 1.760 | 0.43 | | Preoccupied M (SD) | 2.11 (1.75) | 2.16 (1.44) | −0.115 | 0.03 | | Fearful M (SD) | 3.56 (2.16) | 3.28 (1.75) | 0.572 | 0.14 | | Dyadic adjustment | |||| | Consensus M (SD) | 47.69 (8.50) | 50.59 (6.99) | −0.1524 | 0.37 | | Satisfaction M (SD) | 30.17 (4.89) | 30.03 (3.96) | 0.124 | 0.03 | | Cohesion M (SD) | 8.67 (2.19) | 9.97 (3.94) | −2.094* | 0.41 | | Affectional expression M (SD) | 14.44 (3.65) | 16.16 (3.02) | −2.579* | 0.51 | | Dyadic adjustment total score M (SD) | 101.08 (15.13) | 106.75 (11.36) | −1.729 | 0.42 | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1. PC | – | |||||||||||| | 2. PO | −0.391* | – | ||||||||||| | 3. MC | 0.282 | −0.177 | – | |||||||||| | 4. MO | −0.461** | 0.539** | −0.366* | – | ||||||||| | 5. SE | 0.173 | −0.028 | 0.105 | −0.135 | – | |||||||| | 6. DI | −0.358* | 0.206 | −0.017 | −0.033 | −0.419* | – | ||||||| | 7. PR | −0.157 | 0.039 | −0.134 | 0.100 | −0.485** | 0.235 | – | |||||| | 8. FE | 0.118 | −0.129 | −0.073 | −0.098 | −0.324 | −0.251 | −0.039 | – | ||||| | 9. CO | 0.315 | −0.312 | 0.029 | −0.255 | 0.249 | −0.149 | −0.458** | −0.033 | – | |||| | 10. SA | 0.351* | −0.186 | 0.158 | −0.059 | −0.064 | −0.067 | −0.119 | 0.053 | 0.445** | – | ||| | 11. CH | 0.292 | 0.080 | 0.240 | −0.131 | 0.164 | −0.141 | −0.243 | −0.159 | 0.373* | 0.195 | – | || | 12. AE | 0.140 | −0.262 | 0.180 | −0.185 | 0.240 | −0.243 | −0.316 | −0.127 | 0.639** | 0.493** | 0.423* | – | | | 13. DA | 0.379* | −0.283 | 0.155 | −0.224 | 0.207 | −0.191 | −0.412* | −0.060 | 0.900** | 0.714** | 0.524** | 0.814** | – | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1. PC | – | |||||||||||| | 2. PO | 0.054 | – | ||||||||||| | 3. MC | 0.425* | −0.020 | – | |||||||||| | 4. MO | 0.009 | 0.279 | −0.282 | – | ||||||||| | 5. SE | 0.480** | −0.047 | 0.568** | −0.170 | – | |||||||| | 6. DI | −0.172 | −0.077 | −0.323 | 0.110 | −0.579** | – | ||||||| | 7. PR | −0.445* | 0.103 | −0.321 | −0.001 | −0.565** | 0.195 | – | |||||| | 8. FE | −0.015 | −0.330 | 0.289 | 0.052 | 0.075 | 0.152 | −0.365* | – | ||||| | 9. CO | −0.145 | −0.037 | 0.047 | −0.342 | 0.284 | −0.375* | 0.106 | 0.041 | – | |||| | 10. SA | −0.394* | 0.102 | −0.211 | −0.155 | 0.209 | −0.178 | −0.024 | 0.087 | 0.420* | – | ||| | 11. CH | 0.071 | −0.120 | 0.262 | −0.110 | 0.348 | −0.374* | −0.171 | 0.088 | 0.236 | 0.117 | – | || | 12. AE | −0.060 | 0.027 | −0.037 | 0.056 | 0.295 | −0.264 | −0.303 | −0.039 | 0.274 | 0.199 | 0.304 | – | | | 13. DA | −0.231 | −0.001 | −0.009 | −0.269 | 0.386* | −0.427* | −0.053 | 0.061 | 0.876** | 0.681** | 0.438* | 0.556** | – |

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

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endometriosis

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