Distinctive correlations of sociotropy and autonomy with working models of the self and other.

Background: Beck's cognitive theory of depression postulates personality vulnerability factors termed sociotropy and autonomy, which are accompanied by characteristic interpersonal styles. Meanwhile, Bartholomew contends that negative working models of the self and other built through insecure attachment relationships are externalized as distinctive interpersonal styles. The present study examined the relationships of sociotropy and autonomy with the self- and other-models, and attempted to promote understanding of the two personality traits from an attachment perspective.

Methods: The subjects were 510 healthy Japanese medical students or hospital staffs. Sociotropy and autonomy were assessed by the Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale, and working models of the self and other were evaluated by the Relationship Scales Questionnaire.

Results: The sociotropy score was correlated negatively with the self-model score (β=-0.52, p<0.001) and positively with the other-model score (β=0.11, p<0.01). The autonomy score was correlated positively with the self-model score (β=0.10, p<0.05) and negatively with the other-model score (β=-0.33, p<0.001).

Limitations: It may be risky to generalize the present results to general populations or other ethnic groups.

Conclusions: The present study suggests that both sociotropy and autonomy are associated with attachment insecurity, but the marked difference in their correlation patterns with the self- and other-models leads to the distinctive interpersonal styles of the two personality orientations.