Six attachment discourses: convergence, divergence and relay

Duschinsky, Robbie; Bakkum, Lianne; Mannes, Julia M. M.; Skinner, Guy C. M.; Turner, Melody; Woolgar, Matt; Coughlan, Barry; Reijman, Sophie; Foster, Sarah; Beckwith, Helen

doi:10.1080/14616734.2021.1918448

Cited by 23 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…A meta-analysis examining attachment dimensions measured with psychometric scales (Experience in Close Relationships [ECR]; Experience in Close Relationships-Revised [ECR-R]; Adult Attachment Questionnaire) reveals that women exhibit higher attachment anxiety, while men exhibit higher attachment avoidance [ 41 ]. This further led to the claim to consistently integrate gender differences between men and women in attachment research [ 42 , 43 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Differences in Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance and Their Association with Psychotherapy Use—Examining Students from a German University

Weber

Eggenberger

Stosch

et al. 2022

Behavioral Sciences

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Attachment anxiety and avoidance might explain gender differences in psychotherapy use, which is generally lower in men. In addition, university students are a particularly vulnerable group for mental health problems, and understanding psychotherapy use, especially among mentally distressed male students, is pivotal. A total of 4894 students completed an online survey answering questions regarding psychotherapy use and completing the PHQ-D identifying psychological syndromes. In addition, the ECR-RD12 was used to measure attachment anxiety and avoidance. Significant gender differences for attachment anxiety and avoidance emerged, showing higher attachment anxiety in female students and higher attachment avoidance in male students. Male students used psychotherapy significantly less than female students. Male students’ attachment anxiety and avoidance predicted psychotherapy use, while for female students, only attachment anxiety emerged as a significant predictor. Attachment anxiety is positively associated with psychotherapy use, and lower attachment anxiety in men may explain lower psychotherapy use in male students.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Differences in Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance and Their Association with Psychotherapy Use—Examining Students from a German University

Weber

Eggenberger

Stosch

et al. 2022

Behavioral Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Regarding transparency, the expected classificatory manual for the Berkeley method, cited as ‘in press’ with Cambridge University Press for a time in the 1990s, has not been published; it is only available from the authors. In addition, the theory underlying the Berkeley model is limited, as there is no consistent or coherent theoretical or developmental link between classifications in infancy, through school‐age years into adulthood (Duschinsky et al ., 2021).…”

Section: Berkeley Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Parental Attachment in Family Court Proceedings: DMM Theory about the Adult Attachment Interview

Crittenden¹,

Landini²,

Spieker

et al. 2021

Child Abuse Review

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Parental attachment refers to the protective and comforting role of parents toward their children. This role has been violated in cases of maltreatment. Understanding the attachment of parents who endanger their children can illuminate the psychological processes behind the harmful behaviour of parents. This paper proposes assessing parental attachment with the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), classified according to the Dynamic‐Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM). We discuss meta‐analyses of the ‘gold standard' Berkeley method for extracting AAI information. AAIs of maltreating adults classified with the Berkeley method have an improbably high rate of secure attachment, making it inadequate for family forensic applications. In contrast, the DMM uses a theory‐based, developmental expansion of Ainsworth's infant categories to describe a wide array of dimensionally related protective strategies for coping with danger across the lifespan. DMM‐AAIs, classified by trained, reliable professionals and integrated with data from other sources to create an individualised family formulation, meet evidentiary requirements. We call for a programme of research of court‐involved families comparing DMM‐AAI formulations to outcomes of usual methods for determining family services. Key Practitioner Messages Childhood exposure to danger is crucial to understanding maltreating parents' behaviour. Adult Attachment Interviews, classified with the DMM method by authorised experts, can reveal motivating psychological processes that are not apparent in parental behaviour. Information about parents' attachment, together with other information, can help child protection personnel gauge the risk that parents pose to their children and organise personalised treatment plans to reduce that risk. ABCD Berkeley AAI classifications are not suitable for forensic use.

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“…The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI; George et al ., 1984/1996), developed by Mary Main and colleagues at the University of California Berkeley, is the gold standard for assessing and classifying adults' attachment (Main et al, 2011). Classification of AAIs according to the four‐category Berkeley method (Main & Goldwyn, 1984/1989; Main et al ., 2003) has predominated in developmental, clinical and child protection literature for decades (Duschinsky et al ., 2021). Another approach to attachment theory was developed by Patricia Crittenden and her colleagues.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Parental Attachment in Family Court Proceedings: An Empirical Study of the DMM‐AAI

Spieker

Crittenden²,

Landini³

et al. 2021

Child Abuse Review

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Two methods for classifying Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI) for family court decisionmaking, Berkeley and DMM, differ in their usefulness for family court. Both expand Ainsworth's three ABC infant categories. The Berkeley method adds a fourth Disorganised/Unresolved category in adulthood, but has low specificity and validity for risk parents. The DMM method identifies an expanding array of strategies across the lifespan, as neurological development makes more complex strategies possible. This study examined DMM-AAI classifications in a sample of 332 British AAIs and compared the results to published meta-analyses of the Berkeley AAI. Six a priori hypotheses addressed the central question raised: which classificatory method for the AAI is more useful for child protection? DMM-AAI classifications differentiated between (i) normative adults, (ii) parents with mental health problems, (iii) parents in family court proceedings and (iv) incarcerated violent criminals on attachment, psychological trauma and pervasively high or low arousal. We assert that the DMM-AAI is sufficiently valid and discriminating for court use and that it can contribute to court decision-making when integrated with other assessments and clinical reports.

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Six attachment discourses: convergence, divergence and relay

Cited by 23 publications

References 34 publications

Gender Differences in Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance and Their Association with Psychotherapy Use—Examining Students from a German University

Gender Differences in Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance and Their Association with Psychotherapy Use—Examining Students from a German University

Using Parental Attachment in Family Court Proceedings: DMM Theory about the Adult Attachment Interview

Using Parental Attachment in Family Court Proceedings: An Empirical Study of the DMM‐AAI

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