Attachment Theory (Copyright © 2002 by Allyn and Bacon)

What is attachment? Attachment profoundly influences every component of the human condition- mind, body, emotions, relationships, and values. Attachment is not something that parents do to their children; rather, it is something that children and parents create together, in an ongoing, reciprocal relationship. (Levy & Orlans, 1988)

Attachment Theory Attachment theory focuses on the history of experiences between individuals and their caretakers (attachment figures). Humans have a very strong need to form and maintain stable relationships. The same feelings and mechanisms that keep parents attached to their children may also keep romantic partners bonded

Infant & Primary Caregiver: The bond between a child and mother/primary caregiver is essential during the first three years of life. Without this bonding the child will not have learned how to feel trust, love, compassion and empathy. These four survival skills are crucial to develop into a loving, caring child and adult. Fifty percent of our survival skills are learned during the first year, Twenty-five percent during the second The last twenty-five percent is learned from 3 years of age and on

Primary Functions of Attachment: Proximity maintenance Safe haven Secure base

What makes a secure base Consistent comfort provided by attachment figures. Allows individuals to venture forth more confidently and explore the environment. Individuals adapt as best they can to their current environments to survive and reproduce

Three patterns of attachment & care givers reactions (Ainsworth, 1978) Secure = Contingent/responsive care Avoidant= Rejecting care Anxious-ambivalent = Inconsistent/unpredictable care

Attachment styles SECURE- Trust that others will provide love and support ANXIOUS/AMBIVALENT- Defensively detach/withdraw from others AVOIDANT- Fear abandonment; feel their needs might not be met

Which of the next 3 paragraphs best describes you? I find it relatively easy to get close to others and am comfortable depending on them and having them depend on me. I don’t often worry about being abandoned or about someone getting close to me. I am somewhat uncomfortable being close to others. I find it difficult to trust them completely, difficult to allow myself to depend on them. I am nervous when anyone gets too close, and often love partners want me to be more intimate than I feel comfortable being. I find that others are reluctant to get as close as I would like. I often worry that my partner doesn’t really love me or won’t want to stay with me. I want to merge completely with others, and this desire sometimes scares people away.

Attachment Styles in Adults (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991) Secure Preoccupied (anxious/ambivalent) Dismissive-avoidant Fearful-avoidant The adult attachment styles fit within a 2 dimensional Model of Attachment structured around “views of the self” versus “views of others”.

Research in attachment findings: Simpson, Rholes, & Nelligan (1992): The first adult behavioral observation study. Securely attached people were more likely to give and seek support, especially when they were upset; avoidant people did the opposite. Simpson, Rholes, & Phillips (1996): Preoccupied people display anger/ aggression, but only when they are trying to resolve a major relationship problem with their romantic partners.

Research in attachment findings: Mikulincer (1995): secure people have well-integrated views of the self and others; avoidant people have weakly integrated, disconnected views; preoccupied people have conflicted, chaotic views.

Internal Working Models: Basic Themes I can depend on others (Secure) I might be able to depend on others (Preoccupied) I cannot depend on others (Avoidant)

Process Components: Working models: Specific sets of attitudes, beliefs, emotions, thoughts, and “if/then” expectations that reflect different levels of trust in partners: Secure = high trust Preoccupied = moderate trust Avoidant = low trust

Working models are activated when: People feel ill, fatigued, stressed, or are in pain. Environmental factors are threatening (due to fear, relationship separation/loss, highly challenging situations). Core attachment concerns become salient. Working models promote affect regulation by helping people lower and contain their anxiety in stressful situations.

What is Reactive Attachment Disorder? Reactive Attachment Disorder is a condition where individuals have difficulty forming loving, lasting intimate relationships. They do not trust anyone other than themselves to provide for their needs and safety. These individuals often fail to develop a conscience; do not feel empathy, and having genuine affection for people or pets is beyond their reach. Reactive Attachment Disorder RAD Signs, Symptoms & Causes© Cindy Finnegan Feb 26, 2007Cindy FinneganFeb 26, 2007

The Ambivalent Child – Are angry, defiant & can be violent. Will push affection away to keep control Are destructive both with their own belonging and others Are extremely difficult children to parent because they sabotage or destroy almost everything positive that happens to them. When they want something, they act very affectionate. Have few friends if any, although they will say they do, listing several acquaintances – keep friends only for a short time Lack the ability to give and receive love Lack empathy for others – often cruel to animals and other children.

The Anxious Child – Tend to be overly clingy, showing extreme separation anxiety when separated from their mothers. Incessantly chatters to control conversation Appear to be eager to please and are superficially compliant. Are often passive aggressive, constantly doing little things wrong, but never doing anything really bad, but frazzling the parents patience and control. Usually recover faster than those in the other categories

The Avoidant Child – Are often overlooked as they are very compliant, agreeable & superficially engaging, Lack depth to their emotions & functions – robotic like, not genuine or real in emotional engagement. Don’t enjoy being around others because they don't feel safe. Are Omnipotent – believing that they can care for all their own needs by themselves, and do not need others, especially their mothers. Are sullen and openly oppositional, but mostly in a passive aggressive way.

The Disorganized Child – Have highly disorganized behavior and a bizarre showing a variety of symptoms. Hide anger deep inside, they are easier to deal with, harder to treat. May have atypical psychosis, bipolar disorder, and other neurological disorders. Often will have mental illness in the family history. Are excessively excitable (other RAD children are usually moody.) Are most difficult to treat in therapy because they have so many different problems and often require medication and out-of-home care.

What Causes Reactive Attachment Disorder? Abandonment, abuse, neglect in the first three years of life Maternal alcohol/drug use Lack of attunement between mother and child Young, or inexperienced mother with poor parenting skills Maternal ambivalence toward pregnancy Multiple primary caregivers/ foster care system Institutionalized – orphanage adoption Inconsistent/inadequate day care

What Causes Reactive Attachment Disorder? Separation from Birth Parents – death, divorce Genetic disposition Separation from birthmother due to hospitalization, incubator, etc which prohibit adequate touch Undiagnosed/Untreated painful illness (ear infections, colic, hernia, etc.) Birth Trauma/ Traumatic prenatal experience Mother with chronic depression

Signs & Symptoms: Signs of Reactive Attachment Disorder in infants may include: weak crying response, rage, constant whining, sensitivity to touch and cuddling, poor suckling response and eye contact, and no reciprocal smile response.

Signs & Symptoms: Reactive Attachment Disorder in children may also have these symptoms: lack of conscience development, lack of eye contact except when lying, will not give or receive affection (hugs & kisses), no impulse control, abnormal eating patterns (gorging, hoarding, etc.), constantly making noise of some kind, pacing, and unusual speech patterns (mumbling, robotic, talking softly).