1. Attachment Theory: An Overview

2. Attachment Description Variant of object relations Initially focused on development of affectional ties between infants and caregivers Now explains role of attachment across the life span Supported by considerable empirical research

3. Understanding of Problems Psychological problems stem from: Deficits in relationships Deficits/distortions in internal representations of self, others and relationships Stresses the need to be close to another person, even as an adult This need is not pathological Frustration of this need can lead to depression and anxiety

4. Conception of Therapeutic Intervention The role of the therapist is to provide “the conditions in which his patient can explore his representational models of himself and his attachment figures with a view to reappraising and restructuring them in the light of the new understanding he acquires and the new experience he has in the therapeutic relationship” (Bowlby, 1988, p. 138).

5. Conception of Therapeutic Intervention Insight, from an attachment standpoint, is deemed to be important in terms of understand the nature of one’s internal working models of self, others, and relationships. Insight is not seen as sufficient to produce lasting change. Effective psychotherapy must also provide a corrective attachment experience or a new kind of relationship that is therapeutic in itself.

6. Central Theoretical Constructs

7. Secure Base Responsive caregivers provide a secure base from which individuals can explore and freely apply Individuals who do not experience responsive parenting can be helped through later relationships that provide the experience of a secure base

8. Internal Working Model Patterns of attachment, once formed, tend to endure Children develop inner representational models of themselves and others Inner models become unconscious Guide feelings and expectations about self and others, and behavior in relationships with others

9. Attachment Behavior Any form of behavior that results in a person attaining or maintaining proximity to some other clearly identified individual who is conceived as better able to cope with the world. Biological function is protection, and when it is adequately responded to, the individual’s subjective experience is one of security.

10. Attachment Behavior Attachment behavior includes: Clinging to caregivers when scared Protesting caregivers’ departure Following caregivers when able Greeting caregivers’ return When children’s attachment behaviors are adequately responded to, they move freely away from care- givers and explore the environment.

11. Attachment Behavior Adults, especially when ill, fatigued, or overwhelmed by life events, also seek proximity to an attachment figure, who is often a sexual partner as well Characteristics of adult attachment relationships Proximity seeking Secure base effect Separation protest Anticipated permanence of the relationship Reciprocity

12. Patterns of Attachment

13. Adult Patterns of Insecure Attachment 3 patterns of insecure attachment   Anxious attachment   Compulsive self-reliance   Compulsive caregiving

14. Anxious Attachment Clings to attachment figure and constantly seeks proximity Such individuals experienced interruptions of care by the primary attachment figure substitute care that failed to provide one primary caregiver threats of abandonment

15. Compulsive Self-reliance Act as if they do not need others for affection or assistance Parenting style was one of repeated rejection Child learns attachment behaviors lead to rejection and are dangerous Attachment system is deactivated

16. Compulsively Caregiving Always place themselves in the nurturing role Caregiver welcomed being cared for and perhaps expected help in caring for siblings Allows for proximity to caregiver

17. Patterns of Insecure Attachment in Children Insecure-avoidant Insecure-ambivalent Disorganized

18. Secure Explore the unfamiliar but frequently return to mothers Cry when mother leaves the room; greet mother with pleasure upon return Easily comforted when mother returns

19. Insecure-Avoidant Explore new environment without checking on mother’s presence Appear not to be affected when mother leaves Avoid looking at or coming close to mother when she returns

20. Insecure-Ambivalent Cling to mothers; afraid to explore new environment Extremely agitated and cry nonstop when mother leaves Seek contact when mother returns Often arch away from mother and seem angry Resist all efforts to be soothed

21. Disorganized Exhibits a diverse array of conflicted behaviors Rocking on hands and knees with face averted after an abortive approach Freezing all movement, arms in the air, with trance-like expression Moving away from the parent to lean on the wall when frightened Rising to meet the parent, then falling prone

22. Adults’ Internal Working Models of Attachment that Correspond To Attachment Patterns In Children

23. Adult Attachment Interview Assesses adult’s state of mind in respect to attachment Postulated to be reflective of the adult’s internal working model of attachment

24. Parents of Securely Attached Children Tend to value attachment relationships and are able to discuss experiences in coherent way Tend to value attachment relationships and are able to discuss experiences in coherent way Such adults are labeled Autonomous Such adults are labeled Autonomous

25. Parents of Insecure-Avoidant Children Tend to have difficult recalling events of childhood Dismiss childhood events Narratives usually reflect claims of strength, normalcy, and independence Lack coherence Classified as “dismissing” attachment

26. Parents of Insecure- Ambivalent Children Tend to produce long, confusing narratives Narratives reflect mental entanglement or unresolved anger Difficulty in coherently describing attachment-related experiences Classified as “preoccupied” with or by early attachments

27. Parents of Children Judged Disorganized Significantly more likely than other parents to be classified as “unresolved” with respect to loss or trauma May have lapses in the monitoring of reasoning or discourse, or reports of extreme reactions during discussion of events

28. Developmental Pathways Many pathways that lead to mental health and adaptive functioning Many routes to pathology and maladaptive outcomes Potential for change continues throughout the life cycle Optimistic view about human capacity to respond to the experience of a secure base and the possibility of altering internal working models that have inhibited behavior.

29. Engagement Therapists establish themselves as a secure base Act as trusted companion Therapist is often in a natural position to become an attachment figure for client

30. Data Collection/Assessment and Intervention Central task is to encourage clients to examine ways in which they relate to significant people in their present life Assumption is people often unconsciously act in ways that contribute to later distress

31. Data Collection/Assessment and Intervention Therapists help clients consider how current expectations, perceptions, and feelings are influenced by early experiences with parents or by what significant others told them Painful process to consider ideas and feelings that were previously “unthinkable” Emotional problems stem from understandable human responses to what clients actually experienced or were told

32. Data Collection/Assessment and Intervention Encourage clients to think about what may have motivated their caregivers to behave as they did Does not encourage “parent bashing” Supports increased understanding and working through of the complexity of one’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings

33. Data Collection/Assessment and Intervention Therapist’s goal is to help clients recognize where their internal models (cognitive and affective) are not appropriate to the present or the future Clients need to be encouraged to let go of the old and formerly unconscious perceptions and expectations. Clients need to think, feel, and act in new ways based on models compatible with their current life

34. Reference Stalker, C.A. (2001). Attachment theory. In Lehmann, P. & Coady, N. (Eds.). Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice: A generalist-eclectic approach. New York: Springer Publishing Company.