NCJ Number
218523
Journal
Journal of Trauma Practice Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: 2006 Pages: 69-93
Date Published
2006
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This review presents the current state of knowledge on infant and adult disorganized attachment patterns and examines the differential role of parental histories of loss or abuse on the development of parent-infant attachment relationships.
Abstract
From the literature reviewed, it is concluded that despite unanimous recognition of the critical importance of unresolved parental states of mind by attachment researchers, much remains misunderstood. A clear link has been established between an unresolved attachment status on the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) and disrupted care-giving behavior, namely atypical behaviors directed toward the infant. Parent’s who have experienced a loss or abuse in childhood which remains unresolved and unintegrated, have been found to exhibit this pattern of behavior. Also, although individuals with a history of sexual or physical abuse are prone to dissociative defenses; a mother with a history of childhood sexual abuse tends to be more withdrawn, uninvolved, and less sensitive in her interactions with her infants. A history of physical abuse is associated with increased hostility and intrusiveness. Several attachment research studies have demonstrated that unresolved mothers show frightened/frightening behaviors toward their infant. Disorganized attachment is most prevalent among high-risk populations, such as maltreated children. Recent attachment literature has demonstrated that one of the best predictors of attachment disorganization is an “Unresolved” parental state of mind regarding a loss or an abuse in the parent’s own attachment history. References