Attachment style and accuracy of facial expression recognition in depression
https://doi.org/10.20538/1682-0363-2021-1-90-97
Abstract
Aim. To investigate links between the attachment style and ability to detect facial emotions using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm in depressed patients.
Materials and methods. Participants diagnosed with mild to moderate depression or dysthymia (19 patients) and healthy volunteers (20 individuals) were to identify one of eight basic emotions on 48 photos by choosing
the appropriate answer from two options. Attachment was measured using the Experience in Close Relationships Scale. In addition, depression, alexithymia, and rumination were estimated as other possible correlates.
Results. In the group of patients with depression, anxious attachment score had a negative correlation with the accuracy of angry facial expression detection (ρ = –0.65, p < 0.01) and a positive correlation with the accuracy of sad facial expression recognition (ρ = 0.48, p < 0.05). Patients with high total rumination (ρ = –0.48, p < 0.05) and depressive rumination (ρ = –0.53, p < 0.05) scores also detected angry facial expression less accurately. None of the mentioned links were present in healthy people, however, they demonstrated a correlation of the total number of portraits tagged as “sad” with the brooding rumination score (ρ =0 .53, p < 0.05).
Conclusion. Attachment disruptions in depressed patients may be related to aggravation of the deficit in the ability to detect emotions of others.
Supporting agencies: The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project No. 16-15-00183).
About the Authors
M. Ye. Melnikov
Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
2, Timakova Str., Novosibirsk, 630117, Russian Federation
D. D. Bezmaternykh
Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine;
Novosibirsk State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
2, Timakova Str., Novosibirsk, 630117, Russian Federation
1, Piragua Str., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation
L. I. Kozlova
Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
2, Timakova Str., Novosibirsk, 630117, Russian Federation
K. A. Natarova
International Institute of Psychology and Psychotherapy
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
2, Serebrennikovskaya Str., Novosibirsk, 630007, Russian Federation
M. V. Shtark
Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
2, Timakova Str., Novosibirsk, 630117, Russian Federation
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For citations:
Melnikov M.Ye., Bezmaternykh D.D., Kozlova L.I., Natarova K.A., Shtark M.V. Attachment style and accuracy of facial expression recognition in depression. Bulletin of Siberian Medicine. 2021;20(1):90-97. https://doi.org/10.20538/1682-0363-2021-1-90-97
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