Journal of psychosomatic research
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Attachment theory represents a dynamic model for understanding how pre-existing personality factors may contribute to the development of chronic pain and disability after whiplash injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of attachment insecurity on disability 6-months post-injury. It was hypothesized that: (1) levels of attachment insecurity assessed at baseline would predict levels of disability six months post-injury, and (2) both attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) would moderate associations between pain and disability, and psychological distress and disability. ⋯ Although the effects sizes for the moderations were small, the results support claims that attachment insecurity, measurable before onset of injury, represents a valuable pre-trauma vulnerability for less optimal recovery after whiplash injury.