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Working alliance and attachment orientations in the patient‐oncologist relationship
Author(s) -
Henny Amir,
Sivan Levi,
Gil Goldzweig,
Michal Braun
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.5693
Subject(s) - dyad , alliance , feeling , medicine , attachment theory , association (psychology) , clinical psychology , oncology , psychology , psychotherapist , social psychology , political science , law
Abstract Objective Accumulating research suggests that the working alliance (WA) is a key component in the patient–oncologist relationship. Attachment theory provides a useful framework for understanding this alliance within the oncological setting, where patients' attachment systems are often activated. This study examined the association between attachment orientations of both dyad members (i.e., patient and oncologist) and patients' WA experience. It also probed whether this link was mediated by patients' attachment‐related attitudes towards the oncologist, using a recently developed measure. Method Oncologists and their respective patients ( N = 113: 103 patients, 10 oncologists) were sampled at oncological clinics. Eligible patients filled out online measures of the WA, attachment‐related attitudes, and attachment orientations. The later was also completed by oncologists. Results Structural equation modeling demonstrated that both patients' and oncologists' avoidant attachment orientation inversely predicted patients' WA experience, via patients' experience of feeling unsupported by their oncologists. Conclusions Findings suggest that attributes of both members of the patient–oncologist dyad are related to patients' WA experience, and that attachment‐related attitudes towards oncologists occur within this relationship. Oncologists' understanding of patients' unique attachment behaviors, as well as their own such behaviors, could improve cancer patients' quality of care and illness outcomes. Results represent another step forward in fully exploring whether oncologists can serve as attachment figures for their patients.