“Dinanzi al morire e attaccamento: stili di attaccamento, qualità del supporto emotivo e alleanza col medico nella fase terminale della malattia oncologica

We tested the hypothesis that security of attachment may act as protective factor for psychological distress in hospice patients with cancer in the terminal phase. We hypothesized that security of attachments may influence positively both the emotional support provided by the caregiver and the quality of the working alliance with physicians. 37 hospice patients with advanced cancer disease, their caregivers and 4 physicians participated to the study. The results supported the hypothesis. Patients with secure attachment perceived more emotional support from the caregiver, they were also more able to reciprocate and provide more emotional support to the caregiver; secure individuals perceived better working alliance with physicians