YWilliams-MFT6611-Week 2

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Attachment and Trauma Recovery in Children and Adults Yvonne Williams Foundations for Graduate Study in Marriage and Family Therapy Northcentral University Trauma and Family Clinical Applications MFT-6611 - Week Two Dr. Chase

What is Attachment and attachment styles: Researchers define attachment as one specific aspect of the relationship between a child and a parent with its purpose being to make a child safe, secure, and protected. Attachment is distinguished from other aspects of parenting, such as disciplining, entertaining and teaching (Benoit, 2004). Attachment is the “circle of security”, it is form in childhood and will transition into adulthood. In trying to understand the concept of attachments, with both children and adults, the attachment theory was created by John Bolwby and Mary Ainsworth. John Bolwby research on child development had an important impact on our understanding of human development and continues to influence modern- day psychology, education, childcare and parenting (Cherry, 2023). The other key person involved with developing the attachment theory was Mary Ainsworth. According to research her theory states children and infants need to develop a secure dependence on their parents before seeking unfamiliar situations (Cherry, 2023). Attachment theory focuses on relationships and bonds (particularly long-term) between people, including those between a parent and child and between romantic partners. It is a psychological explanation for the emotional bonds and relationships between people (Cherry, 2023). Attachment styles are described by the unique styles people interact and behave in their relationships. During early childhood, these attachment styles center on how children and parents interact. In early childhood, attachment provides the infant's first coping system; it sets up a mental representation of the caregiver in an infant's mind, one that can be summoned up as a comforting mental presence in difficult moments. Attachment allows an infant to separate from the caregiver without distress and to begin

to explore the world around her (Psychology Today, 2019). In adulthood, attachment styles describe attachment patterns in romantic relationships (Cherry, 2022). Adult attachment is guided by the assumption that the same motivational system that gives rise to the close emotional bond between parents and their children is responsible for the bond that develops between adults in emotionally intimate relationships (Fraley, 2018). Attachment styles consist of secure, ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized. Secure attachment is characterized by trust, an adaptive response to being abandoned, and the belief that one is worthy of love (Huang, 2020) . Individuals with an ambivalent attachment style are inclined to be very needy. As the labels suggest, people with this attachment style are often anxious and uncertain, lacking in self-esteem. They crave emotional intimacy but worry that others don’t want to be with them (Robinson et al., 2021) . People with avoidant attachment style avoid closeness, avoid relying on others, and avoid emotional connections with others. Children with avoidant attachment styles tend to avoid interaction with the caregiver, and show no distress during separation (Huang, 2020). Disorganized/disoriented attachment, also referred to as fearful-avoidant attachment, stems from intense fear, often as a result of childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse. Adults with this style of insecure attachment tend to feel they don’t deserve love or closeness in a relationship (Huang, 2020 ) . Trauma and how it impacts attachment: Trauma is an occurrence millions of people have experienced. It is considered an emotional response to a distressful experience. It can be caused by a violent event such as a natural disease, a violent assault, war, or the death of a loved one. Trauma does

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not discriminate, it does not matter the person age, gender, or race. The effect of trauma not only places a heavy affliction on both the individuals, and their families’ but can lead to attachment trauma. Attachment trauma is described as ruptures in the bonding process between a child and their caregiver. These ruptures can impact future relationships into adulthood. Attachment wounds and unmet attachment needs can leave a lasting impact on the way we attach to others in adulthood (N/A, 2022). Research also states exposition to a traumatizing attachment figure impairs the basic ability to achieve a secure attachment at all levels. It leads to the formative expectation that all relationships are dominated by mistrust (Lahousen et al., 2019). How Can Trauma Impact a Victim’s/Survivor’s Relationships After experiencing traumatic situations, many people find their relationships with others are affected. It is common for the overwhelming circumstances of traumatic events to influence one’s interactions with friends, family, coworkers, and others (International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, 2016). Individuals might experience challenges such as trusting their partner, communication, problem solving, and closeness with their partners. Partners, friends, or family members may feel hurt, cut off, or down because the survivor has not been able to get over the trauma. Loved ones may become angry or distant toward the survivor. They may feel pressured, tense, and controlled. The survivor's symptoms can make a loved one feel like he or she is living in a war zone or in constant threat of danger. Living with someone who has PTSD can sometimes lead the partner to have some of the same feelings of having been through trauma ( Relationships - PTSD: National Center for PTSD , n.d.).

Trauma recovery and healing from trauma The primary goal for people who have experienced trauma is recovering and healing. Recovering from a traumatic event is unique to each individual. Trauma recovery is the ability to live in the present without being overwhelmed by the thoughts and feelings of the past. Trauma recovery is best to be looked upon as a process that is worked on over time and in intentional stages ( Phases of Trauma Recovery , n.d.). Another part of trauma recovery consists of building a support system that will provide both the individual and the family comfort and safety. A support system can include mentors, people who can guide, teach, and challenge us in respectful, compassionate ways. They might be teachers, spiritual leaders or spiritual advisors, elders, and cultural leaders. A support system might and can also include professionals such as family physicians, nurses and other health care providers, mental health workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, EAP (Employee Assistance Program) counsellors and many others ( Phases of Trauma Recovery , n.d.).

References Attachment Trauma: How Childhood Trauma Can Shape Your Attachment Style as told by a therapist . (2022, August 25). White Rock Therapy- Trauma Counseling Dallas. https://www.whiterocktherapy.net/blog/attachment-trauma-how-childhood-trauma-can-shape- your-attachment-style-as-told-by-a-therapist Benoit, D. (2004). Infant-Parent Attachment: Definition, Types, Antecedents, Measurement and Outcome. Paediatrics & Child Health , 9 (8), 541–545. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/9.8.541 Cherry, K. (2022, May 26). The Different Types of Attachment Styles . Very well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/attachment-styles-2795344 Cherry, K. (2023, September 12). John Bowlby Biography (1907-1990) . Very well Mind; Very well mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/john-bowlby-biography-1907-1990-2795514 Huang, S. (2020, August 24). Attachment Styles | Simply Psychology . Www.simplypsychology.org; Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment-styles.html International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. (2016). Trauma and Relationships . https://istss.org/ISTSS_Main/media/Documents/ISTSS_TraumaAndRelationships_FNL.pdf Lahousen, T., Unterrainer, H. F., & Kapfhammer, H.-P. (2019). Psychobiology of attachment and trauma—some general remarks from a clinical perspective. Frontiers in Psychiatry , 10 (914). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00914 Phases of Trauma Recovery . (n.d.). Trauma Informed. https://trauma-informed.ca/recovery/phases-of- trauma-recovery/#:~:text=In%20general%20recovery%20is%20the

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