FACTORS RELATED WITH HEALTH ANXIETY: IS THERE A ROLE OF ATTACHMENT IN HEALTH ANXIETY?

In this study, it is aimed to examine the factors related with health anxiety especially the relationship between health anxiety and attachment styles. In order to achieve this purpose, researches done in the last 20 years have been searched using different databases (Web of Science, EBSCHOHost, Elsevier Science Direct, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, ULAKBIM Turkish Medical Directory / Social Sciences Directory) with the key words of health anxiety, hypochondriasis, illness anxiety, and attachment. Taking into account the dimensions examined in the surveys, the relationship between health anxiety and attachment styles was examined under the headings of health anxiety and hypochondriasis, cognitive and interpersonal model of health anxiety, health anxiety and attachment, and approval seeking. First of all, general information on health anxiety is included. Later, cognitive and interpersonal models developed to better explain health anxiety were mentioned. After that, the theory of attachment found at the base of the interpersonal model, and research on the relationship between health anxiety and attachment styles has been included. It has been noted that health anxiety are a reflection of insecure attachment, particularly associated with anxious attachment. Lastly, reassurance seeking within the scope of the two models, was also included. In the conclusion section, a general summary of researches has been given and suggestions for future studies have been made