Table 2.

Summary of observed attachment-related differences in groups.

	Preoccupied	Dismissing
Differences in the content and form of communication	Frequently proposed discussions of values and ‘rules of life’ in a one-sided manner, whilst enlisting other patients’ point of view Preoccupied patients narrated specific events, often to supply positive instances of their behaviour as parents	When proposing values or ‘rules of life’, their claims had a tentative tone and/or expressed doubt Dismissive patients rarely described specific examples of their interpersonal experiences, even when directly probed
Differences in how patients refer to what other fellow patients said	Preoccupied patients often agreed with the previous speaker only to change attitude or topic immediately afterwards Preoccupied patients were often covertly critical of others’ statements	Dismissing patients closely linked their statements to the previous patient’s statement and/or point of view Dismissing patients often downplayed other patients’ previous negative statements by actively adding a ‘positive wrap-up’
Differences in how patients ‘take the floor’	Preoccupied patients had the tendency to be more proactive in turn taking by: i) by commenting on the utterances of others and then shifting the topic to their own experiences; ii) by answering therapists’ and co-therapist’s exploratory questions directed to the group; iii) by posing questions to the therapist or the group and then take the floor when further responding to their reply	Dismissing patients had the tendency to be less proactive in turn taking by: i) by commenting on the utterances of others and then terminating their speech turn before shifting the topic; ii) by answering therapists’ and co-therapist’s questions only when directed to them