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Preliminary evidence suggests that individuals with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) may exhibit reduced autonomy-connectedness, a psychological construct referring to the capacity to remain connected with one's own needs and emotions while maintaining meaningful relationships with others. Autonomy-connectedness consists of three interrelated dimensions: self-awareness, sensitivity to others, and the capacity to manage new situations. Although autonomy-connectedness itself has not yet been directly investigated in FND populations, several psychological characteristics associated with FND appear conceptually related to these dimensions, including insecure attachment, suggestibility, alexithymia, altered interoceptive awareness, disturbed sense of agency, and harm avoidance or low openness to experience. This systematic review examined empirical studies investigating psychological characteristics conceptually related to autonomy-connectedness in individuals with FND. Specifically, we reviewed studies on insecure attachment, suggestibility, alexithymia, interoception, sense of agency, and harm avoidance/openness to experience. Across studies, the most consistent associations were found for alexithymia and interoceptive disturbances, whereas findings regarding attachment, sense of agency, and harm avoidance/openness to experience were more heterogeneous. Evidence regarding suggestibility was limited. Overall, the findings provide indirect and hypothesis-generating support for the potential relevance of autonomy-connectedness as a conceptual framework for understanding vulnerability-related characteristics in FND. However, conclusions should be interpreted cautiously given the methodological heterogeneity across studies and the absence of direct assessments of autonomy-connectedness in FND populations.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023232760.