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Abstract

Since the mid-20th century, research has increasingly highlighted the fundamental role of attachment behaviour in human development and the structuring of personality. Peter Fonagy introduced the concept of mentalization, a capacity that emerges within a context of secure attachment to caregivers. In contrast, under conditions of insecure attachment, the ability to mentalize tends to be compromised, leading to distorted self-representations and dysfunctional emotional regulation strategies.
In this context, a non-systematic literature review was conducted on the relationship between attachment, mentalization and personality disorders, integrating the classical theoretical contributions of Bowlby and Ainsworth with contemporary empirical evidence.
In conclusion, this review shows that understanding and treating personality disorders requires an integrative approach that considers attachment styles and mentalization capacity as central mechanisms of vulnerability and therapeutic change. The role of therapeutic interventions is reinforced, and more robust research in this field is needed.