Introduction
The attachment theory so often brought up in the psychological sciences, most commonly focuses on the mother-child bond that does or does not occur within the first five years of a child’s life. The founding father of the attachment theory was John Bowlby, who was extremely generous in working with numerous experts to expand his own knowledge and theories on psychological topics. The importance of a healthy development of the attachment process is important to the future sociability of the individual. How he or she interacts with people in their lives will be based on the extent of the attachment that may or may not have occurred for the individual during the earliest years of childhood. Certain assumptions can be made about individuals based on insecure and disorganized attachment patterns during childhood. When problems arise for adults as a result of dysfunctions in the attachment process, there are interventions that could be made to help undo the damage that has been done from their childhood. Working towards a functional resolution to minimize the damaging behavioral problems that arise from a defunct attachment process are important to consider for the psychologist or social worker who is involved with intervention. To better understand the concept, a case study will be used to help analyze which intervention style would apply in a real life scenario.
History of the Theory
In 1954 John Bowlby, with the help of an ethologist named Robert Hinde, came up with the idea of studying the mother-child separation process among monkeys (Stevenson-Hinde, 2007). A rhesus monkey colony was developed in Madingley, where Bowlby, with the help of his colleagues, would observe the behavior of the monkey’s by separating mother from child either through removing the child or mother from the colony (Stevenson-Hinde, 2007). Bowlby’s idea for examining the mother- child attachment process began when in 1928 when he was working with a group of disturbed children and noticed the harmful effects it seemed to have on these children when they were left (Stevenson-Hinde, 2007).
Bowlby’s awareness of a problem existing in children who have been separated from their mothers led him to the following question, “If the disruption of a bond is important,
what is the nature of the bond that’s disrupted?” (Stevenson-Hinde , 2007, 339). The “activation and deactivation of separate but interacting motivational systems” led Bowlby to develop the “attachment behavior system” (Stevenson-Hinde, 2007, 339). Emotional communication is a concept that Bowlby referred to in observing that a child adopts the style of communication that his mother displays towards him. This led him to suggest that an ease of emotional communication is critical to the development and maintenance of the attachment patterns (Stevenson-Hinde, 2007).
A basic overview of the history of how the attachment theory was developed provides the audience with some simple concepts of the theory as to its relevance in human behavior. Next, there is a deeper look inside the basic assumptions that could be made about human’s based on the discovery of the attachment theory.
Basic Assumptions
Many of the dysfunctions in emotional behavioral issues and problems with delinquency have been correlated with attachment-related incidents, such as a separation from or harsh treatment by the mother and/or the father (Cassidy, Jones & Shaver, 2013). Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s work together helped create an understanding of how important the early stages of childhood are when close and dependable relationships must provide “love, nurturance, security, responsive interaction, and encouragement for exploration” (Cassidy, Jones & Shaver, 2013, 1415). When this cycle of development it interrupted by other exposures to stress, neglect, or any other circumstances that are less than functional, the child is likely to grow up exhibiting troubled emotional and behavioral issues.
The concept of a disruption in the attachment process helps researcher begin to understand a starting point for many of the mental illness related issues, as well as less severe condition that result in troubled socialization. Understanding this connection allows the therapist to create a sort of blue print for how to treat the individual. Awareness of the concepts of the attachment theory help the professional recognize a pattern of behavior that may have developed as a result of a childhood of neglect.
There are some assumptions that have been made and can be confirmed by the attachment theory about parenting styles. Attachment issues are not just associated with the stereotypical abusive parents, but can include parents who are accustomed to a particular parenting style. For example, many Asian cultures do not display love in the way many Western cultures do. Parents who grow up in a household where parents did not display love and support may become parents that repeat this style of parenting with their own children. This cycle of attachment issues that will develop in these individuals is then more culturally based (Kurth, 2013). One must also consider that when there is a cultural cycle in place, it is even more difficult to undo a process that has no other reference to proper parenting styles leading to healthy attachment.
It is important to understand that the attachment theory produces groundwork for the functional development of the child into a healthy and well-balanced individual. Problems that arise as a result of improper attachment can be seen as early as preschool in the way that some children behave. According to Kurth (2013), insecure attachment representation often result in mildly anti-social behavior, and those with disorganized attachment representation will end up being strongly anti-social (104).
Depression is a common mental illness that robs individuals of a certain quality of life that is capable of damaging relationships, professions, and other important life factors. “Classified as a mood disorder, depression is characterized by affective, physical, and motivation symptoms including low mood, insomnia, and impaired concentration” (Morley & Moran, 2011, 1071). Researchers have found a strong link in emotional disturbances, like depression, to be found among individuals who did not establish a healthy attachment with their earliest care givers. A child whose mother may have been under tremendous stress may not have had the energy or motivation to provide the love and nurturing that the child needs in order to develop a healthy emotional and social outlook on life (Morley & Moran, 2011). Cognitive development has been shown to be reduced in the depressed population as a result of mismanagement of attachment between the mother (and/or father) and child (Morley & Moran, 2011).
The “internal working model, which reflects the outer lived experiences on an inner level,” are the reason why attachment in the early years is so important (Storebo, Rasmussen, & Simonsen, 2016, 187). If the individual was not securely attached to the parent in his or her early years, there is no good reference point to compare to that would help in making healthy decisions in social situations. Those who have been raised with secure attachment bonds is confident in his or her ability to go out in the world and explore with a positive outlook rather than a timid predicament that arises in those with insecure attachment issues (Storebo, Rasmussen, & Simonsen, 2016).
Another common ailment that many children and even adults are diagnosed with is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which is also being linked to problems with attachment in early childhood. Storebo, Rasmussen, & Simonsen (2016), present a study in which the correlation between insecure attachments with increased ADHD symptoms was found to exist, which confirms the suspicion. Based on the findings from the study, one of the possible suggestions for treatment of ADHD is to focus on including relationship building-techniques (Storebo et. al, 2016).
Intervention Models
Now that it is evident that the attachment theory presents a very valid argument about the importance of early childhood attachment as foundational basis for a balanced and healthy view of life, it is time to explore intervention models that would best address the insecure attachment issues that result in behavioral challenges for the individual. An aspect of insecure attachment issues can result in a lack of emotional management capabilities (Han & Pistole, 2014). Emotional regulation difficulties are displayed in individuals with insecure attachment issues that often result in an inability to cope with life circumstances as well (Han & Pistole, 2014). Therefore, the process of establishing a healthy emotional development pattern must be taught through working with a trained professional who can guide the individual to learning new behavioral patterns to manage emotions.
Another method of intervention that therapists must consider is the attachment-based treatment option. Often times the individuals suffering from insecure or disorganized attachment issues, also have trust issues that interfere with his or her ability to allow the therapist to help the client (Cortina, 2013). The attachment-based method of intervention would incorporate meeting with the child and the adult in his or her life who is the care-giver (biological or otherwise) (Shea, 2015). This method is often used in direct social work practice where the social worker would meet with the child and his or her foster parent, for example. Involving the adult in the counseling for therapeutic relationship practices is extremely beneficial for both the adult and child as they work on improving a sense of healthy attachment.
Psychotherapy is a feasible option for management of individuals facing problems with early attachment issues. Many individuals who have had trauma or troubles in their childhood as a result of dysfunctions in attachment, tend to have a false sense of confidence in not needing anyone for anything (Muller, 2009). “A synopsis of the unique defensive processes characterizing such patients is followed by an empirically grounded rationale in favor of an approach that activates the attachment system and challenges defensive avoidance” (Muller, 2009, 69). As a result of this common display of defensive avoidance that many individuals suffering from attachment breakdowns face, a possible option for treatment would be to activate the attachment system, forcing the patient’s attention towards experiences associated with attachment, while challenging defensive avoidance (Muller, 2009). The hope is that by facing the reality of their attachment issues may help them overcome the triggers and problems that arise in interpersonal relationship, as well as other socializing factors that are difficult to manage.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Intervention Options
Each method of intervention mentioned above has some strengths and weakness. Selecting the ideal method of interventions would be based on the individual circumstances that a patient comes in with. Some people are much more troubled and traumatized as a result of dysfunctional attachment patterns, yet others are functioning without too much interference. The style of treatment options with the use of managing emotions, creating a secure space with the therapist, and activating attachment systems are all suggested above.
If opting to select the method of managing emotions, the strength is that it helps bring mindfulness to the individuals to slow down the automatic reaction that generally occurs. Interrupting they typical cycle of disempowering emotional responses are crucial to one’s ability to engage in productive socialization and relations. For this type of treatment, this is an ideal method of choice. However, for the individual that is extremely disconnected from his or her ability to be self-aware, this method would not be helpful.
The attachment-based method is very useful when the patient involved is still a child under the care of a parent or guardian. Often times, when the client is still a child, additional support from adults is beneficial for the successful treatment of the behavioral and emotional problems that may exist based on insecure attachment during early childhood. The weakness in this method is that it is not applicable to independent adults.
The last intervention model to consider is through activating the attachment systems and facing this reality head on versus putting up defenses to push away and discomfort that arises from revisiting childhood experiences. This method is strong in the tremendous breakthrough that the patient may experience by allowing him or herself to examine their childhood attachment or lack thereof. The weakness in this method is that it is difficult to gauge if a patient is ready to take this step or not.
Intervention for Darnell Yardley
A case study presented on a young man named Darnell Yardley clearly displays an individual who has an insecure attachment issue stemming from childhood. As a result of this problem he has difficulty in relationships with women, and has a high sense of dissatisfaction with himself and life. Overall Darnell is quite capable of presenting a well-balanced confident appearance, but underlying all the confidence is an insecure individual who is not sure of himself.
In order to treat Darnell, the ideal intervention plan would be to use psychotherapy to activate the attachment system to revisit how he felt during his childhood when his mother and father were unavailable to him. Allowing him to sort out the feelings that he had as a child and associating those feelings to behavioral and emotional issues currently disrupting life are an important step towards healing. Discussing these issues will help bring self-awareness to Darnell, which will result in a higher degree of self-control. In order to explore the activation of attachment systems, it may be useful to incorporate mentalization as an initial step in treatment options to help Darnell have a better understanding of his own thoughts as he works to understand the attachment issues of his own childhood (Morken, Karterud, & Arefjord, 2014). Increased self-control will give Darnell the opportunity to choose his emotions and actions accordingly rather than automatically. For this particular case, the most meaningful intervention method would be through activation of the attachment systems to reestablish new patterns of relating to others in life. Understanding that his mother and father’s style of parenting were not reflective of their love for him will help him make better sense of how he has lacked interpersonal and socialization skills due to insecurity.
Conclusion
Understanding the conditions that arise from insecure and disorganized attachment issues, which began to be noticed by Bowlby has allowed for empiracle evidence in how powerful the attachment theory is in treatment of numerous mental disorders. The report reviews the various conditions that are present in individuals with less than ideal childhood attachment issues, which include depression and ADHD, as well as many other behavioral and emotional problems. The assumption that bonding between a child and his mother or father is critical to the overall well-being of the individual into adulthood is evident.
Those who display issues that need to be addressed via psychological or psychiatric treatment are likely to be people who have an insecure attachment issue present in their life that is interfering with daily functions and ability to adequately socialize. Many treatment options are available for intervention of the issues that the individual suffers from when a broken attachment base exists. Providing a suggested intervention for the case study on Darnell Yardley was helpful to incorporate in seeing how a certain interventions would be helpful in a situation with a person like Darnell.
Overall, the research on the attachment theory provides the audience with ample evidence of how important this step is in the developmental process. Educating parents and professionals about the importance of health attachment between parent and child could help establish a healthier set of individuals in the future who could avoid many of the troubles that arise in cases of insecure and disorganized attachment issues.
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