Conceptualizing love addiction within the attachment perspective: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

IF 6.6 1区医学 Q1 PSYCHIATRY

Journal of Behavioral Addictions Pub Date : 2025-04-29 DOI:10.1556/2006.2025.00031

Roberta Gabriella Cavalli, Judith Feeney, Guyonne Rogier, Patrizia Velotti

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background and aim: The present study stems from the need to deepen knowledge regarding understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying Love Addiction (LA) and investigate the role of attachment style as a theoretical framework. We conducted a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of the investigated topics to achieve this objective.

Method: Five databases (PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) systematically searched for studies that analyzed the relationship between LA and attachment dimensions, published in all years until September 23, 2024.

Results: Overall, we found 27 studies; of these, we included 15 in the meta-analysis, with 3,628 participants. The analyses were conducted using the test of heterogeneity, effect dispersion, and moderator analysis (gender, age, research continent, quality of the studies, and types of attachment instruments). A significant and positive relationship (r = 0.39, p < 0 .05) was observed between Love Addiction and anxious attachment, while a significant and negative relationship was found with avoidant attachment (r = -0.09, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The systematic review and meta-analysis provide an important starting point for understanding and operationalizing the construct. The association with attachment styles allows postulating the relational nature of Love Addiction, differentiating it from other addictions. In addition, the association with anxious and avoidant attachment shows promise in understanding Love Addict subtypes.

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依恋视角下爱情成瘾的概念化：系统回顾与元分析。

背景与目的：本研究旨在加深对爱情成瘾心理机制的理解，并探讨依恋类型作为理论框架的作用。为了实现这一目标，我们对文献进行了系统回顾，并对调查主题进行了荟萃分析。方法：系统检索截至2024年9月23日的5个数据库（PsycINFO、PsycARTICLES、MEDLINE、Scopus和Web of Science）中发表的分析LA与依恋维度关系的研究。结果：总的来说，我们发现了27项研究；其中，我们纳入了15项荟萃分析，共有3,628名参与者。分析采用异质性检验、效应离散性检验和调节分析（性别、年龄、研究大陆、研究质量和依恋工具类型）进行。恋爱成瘾与焦虑型依恋呈显著正相关（r = 0.39, p < 0.05），与逃避型依恋呈显著负相关（r = -0.09, p < 0.05）。结论：系统回顾和荟萃分析为理解和操作该结构提供了重要的起点。与依恋风格的关联允许假设爱情成瘾的关系本质，将其与其他成瘾区分开来。此外，与焦虑型和回避型依恋的关联显示了理解爱成瘾亚型的希望。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Behavioral Addictions PSYCHIATRY-

CiteScore

12.30

自引率

7.70%

发文量

审稿时长

20 weeks

期刊介绍： The aim of Journal of Behavioral Addictions is to create a forum for the scientific information exchange with regard to behavioral addictions. The journal is a broad focused interdisciplinary one that publishes manuscripts on different approaches of non-substance addictions, research reports focusing on the addictive patterns of various behaviors, especially disorders of the impulsive-compulsive spectrum, and also publishes reviews in these topics. Coverage ranges from genetic and neurobiological research through psychological and clinical psychiatric approaches to epidemiological, sociological and anthropological aspects.