Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma And Attachment Styles In Patients With PeripheralVertigo

XXIII. World Congress of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery IFOSTANBUL 2026, İstanbul, Türkiye, 9 - 13 Eylül 2026, (Özet Bildiri)

BACKGROUND & AIM

Peripheral vertigo is a vestibular symptom associated not only with physical manifestations but also with psychological factors.

Recent studies have demonstrated that vertigo may be related to psychosocial factors. In particular, childhood trauma and

attachment styles are thought to influence stress response, psychological resilience, and the development of psychosomatic

symptoms. However, these variables have not been sufficiently investigated in patients with peripheral vertigo. The aim of this

study was to evaluate the relationship between childhood trauma and attachment styles in individuals diagnosed with

peripheral vertigo and to compare their psychological characteristics with those of healthy individuals.

MATERIAL & METHODS

A total of 64 individuals over the age of 18 were included in this cross-sectional and comparative study. The study group

consisted of patients diagnosed with peripheral vertigo, while the control group consisted of healthy individuals without any

neurological or systemic disease. Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Three-Dimensional

Attachment Styles Scale. The normality of data distribution was assessed. Independent samples t-test was used for normally

distributed variables, whereas the Mann–Whitney U test was used for non-normally distributed variables. A p value of <0.05

was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Emotional neglect and physical neglect scores were significantly higher in the vertigo group compared to the control group

(p<0.001). Secure attachment scores were significantly lower, whereas avoidant and anxious attachment scores were

significantly higher in the vertigo group (p<0.001). Significant differences were also found between the groups regarding

emotional abuse and total childhood trauma questionnaire scores (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the

physical abuse and sexual abuse subscales.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood trauma and insecure attachment styles were found to be more common in individuals diagnosed with peripheral

vertigo. In particular, emotional neglect, anxious attachment, and avoidant attachment styles may be associated with vertigo.

These findings suggest that peripheral vertigo should be considered not only as a vestibular disorder but also as a

multidimensional condition requiring a biopsychosocial approach.

KEYWORDS

Peripheral vertigo; childhood trauma; attachment styles