Abstract
Our early experiences with attachment figures set a precedent not just for the development of a sense of self but also for the development of healthy relationships later in life. A secure attachment is formed when caregivers are stable, reliable, and trustworthy in their behaviors and responsivity. When children’s needs are adequately met, they can begin to develop trust that the world is an intrinsically benevolent place. However, in the event of pervasive relational trauma in childhood, such as persistent patterns of rejection, humiliation, or neglect, children can develop an insecure or disorganized attachment with a caregiver. This chapter provides an exploration of attachment theory with a description of each of the adult attachment categories, in addition to outlining the role of attunement and mirroring. This chapter reviews current research on the implications of insecure attachment for adult relationships and social functioning. Following this overview, a critique of attachment theory shall be considered. Subsequently, an exploration of how COVID-19 has exacerbated the impact of developmental trauma is critically reviewed. Finally, the chapter briefly introduces interventions utilized to measure adult attachment status in a clinical setting.
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O’Shea Brown, G. (2021). Understanding Your Emotional Map. In: Healing Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Essential Clinical Social Work Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61416-4_2
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