Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Using attachment theory to understand the treatment of adult depression

Clinical Social Work Journal volume 34, pages 531–542 (2006)Cite this article

ABSTRACT

John Bowlby developed attachment theory to explain connections between infant and caregiver behavior and how these impacted children’s behavior. Extended and researched heavily in a variety of contexts, attachment theory has advanced clinical thinking over time. Its core ideas regarding infant and caregiver connections are very useful to mental health practitioners today and have particular ramifications for clinical work with adults. This paper discusses the application of Bowlby’s attachment theory to the clinical treatment of adult depression and explores a relevant case example.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

REFERENCES

  • Beebe B., Lachmann F., Jaffe J., (1997). Mother-infant interaction structures and presymbolic self- and object representations Psychoanalytic Dialogues 7: 133–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby J., (1940). The influence of early environment in the development of neurosis and neurotic character International Journal of Psycho-Analysis 1: 154–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1944). Forty-four juvenile thieves: Their characters and home-life. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 25, 19–53. Reprinted (1946) as monograph. London, England: Baliere, Tindall & Cox

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby J., (1958). The nature of the child’s tie to his mother International Journal of Psycho-Analysis 39: 350–373

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby J., (1969/1982). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment Basic Books New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby J., (1973). Attachment and loss: Vol. 2. Separation Basic Books New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby J., (1980). Attachment and loss: Vol. 3. Loss Basic Books New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Dozier M., Stovall K. C., Albus K. E., (1999). Attachment and psychopathology in adulthood In Cassidy J., Shaver P. R., (eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications The Guilford Press New York (pp. 497–521)

    Google Scholar 

  • Feeney J., (1999).Adult romantic attachment and couple relationships In Cassidy J., Shaver P.R., (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications The Guilford Press New York (pp. 355–377)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fish B., (1996). Clinical implications of attachment narratives Clinical Social Work Journal 24: 239–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fish B., Dudas K., (1999). The relevance of attachment research for adult narratives told in psychotherapy Clinical Social Work Journal 27: 27–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, C., Kaplan, N., & Main, M. (1985/1995). An adult attachment interview: Interview protocol. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley

  • Gubman N., (2004). Disorganized attachment: A compass for navigating the confusing behavior of the “difficult-to-treat” patient Clinical Social Work Journal 32: 159–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes J., (2001). The search for the secure base: Attachment theory and psychotherapy Brunner-Routledge East Sussex, England

    Google Scholar 

  • Karen R., (1994). Becoming attached: First relationships and how they shape our capacity to love Oxford University Press New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Main, M. & Goldwyn, R. (1984). Adult attachment scoring and classification system. Unpublished manuscript, University of California at Berkeley

  • Main, M. & Goldwyn, R. (1998). Adult attachment scoring and classification system. Unpublished manuscript, University of California at Berkeley

  • Main M., Hesse E., (1990). Parents’ unresolved traumatic experiences are related to infant disorganized attachment status: Is frightened and/or frightening parental behavior the linking mechanism? In Greenberg M. T., Cicchetti D., Cummings E. M., (Eds.), Attachment in the preschool years: Theory, research, and intervention University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL (pp. 161–182)

    Google Scholar 

  • Main, M., Kaplan, N., & Cassidy, J. (1985). Security in infancy, childhood, and adulthood: A move to the level of representation. In I Bretherton & E. Waters (Eds.), Growing points of attachment theory and research. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 50(1–2, Serial No. 209): 66–104

  • Rutter M., (1995). Clinical implications of attachment concepts: Retrospect and prospect Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry & Allied Disciplines 36: 549–571

    Google Scholar 

  • Sable P., (2000). Attachment and adult psychotherapy Jason Aronson Press Northvale, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Slade A., (1999). Attachment theory and research: Implications for the theory and practice of individual psychotherapy with adults In Cassidy J., Shaver P. R., (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications Guilford Press New York (pp. 575–594)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Utah College of Social Work, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Joanna E. Bettmann Ph.D.

  2. 395 South 1500 East Rm 311, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112–0260, USA

    Joanna E. Bettmann Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Joanna E. Bettmann Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joanna E. Bettmann Ph.D..

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bettmann, J.E. Using attachment theory to understand the treatment of adult depression. Clin Soc Work J 34, 531–542 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-005-0033-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-005-0033-1

Keywords

search

Navigation