The drug-user husband and his wife: Attachment styles, family cohesion, and adaptability

Ricky Finzi-Dottan*, Orna Cohen, Dorota Iwaniec, Yaffa Sapir, Abraham Weizman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study which assesses the association between the attachment styles of drug-user husbands (n=56) and their wives (n=56) and their perceptions of family dynamics was conducted in 1998. The population study included heroin (52.9%) and multidrug detoxified outpatients. All subjects completed the Adult Attachment Style Scale and the FACES III. Results indicated that the perceptions of family adaptability and cohesion among the drug-user husbands and their wives did not differ from the Israeli norm. Most of the drug users (60.7%) were characterized by the avoidant attachment style, followed by the secure style (26.8%), and the anxious/ambivalent style (12.5%). Half the wives (53,6%) were characterized by the secure style, followed by the avoidant style (42.9%) and the anxious/ambivalent style (3.6%). A secure style in husband and wife was associated with higher levels of family cohesion and adaptability, and the anxious/ambivalent style with a lower perception of family cohesion and adaptability. These findings have important implications for rehabilitation prospects and for planning intervention programs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)271-292
Number of pages22
JournalSubstance Use and Misuse
Volume38
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

Keywords

  • Attachment
  • Attachment style
  • Drug users
  • Family
  • Family adaptability
  • Family cohesion
  • Rehabilitation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The drug-user husband and his wife: Attachment styles, family cohesion, and adaptability'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this