Attachment and social functioning in psychosis

Individuals who experience psychosis typically have diminished social networks and difficulties with social and interpersonal functioning. Therefore, factors underlying social functioning are an intensively studied topic. As attachment theory is by its very nature a theory about interpersonal relationships, it provides insight into these difficulties experienced in psychosis and helps to further develop existing models and conceptualisations of psychosis. Another factor closely related to social dysfunction is social cognition, referring to skill sets or mental processes which help an individual to understand and to accurately interpret the social world. Secure attachment bonds provide optimal conditions for the development of these skills and can be disrupted by negative interpersonal experiences, including difficulties in early attachment relationships. In this chapter, we discuss state of the art research on the link between social cognition, interpersonal difficulties and attachment style in psychosis.