Maureen Mack, Ph.D. Curriculum & Instruction University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire & the Cider House Rules Attachment Theory.

Maureen Mack, Ph.D.Curriculum & Instruction

University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire

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Attachment Attachment TheoryTheory

Overview

Definitions of Secure/Insecure Attachment

Types of Disordered Attachment

Effects of Attachment Quality & Trauma on the Developing Brain

Treatment and Strategies

Definition of Secure Attachment

Secure attachment is an enduring affective bond characterized by a tendency to seek and maintain proximity to a specific person, particularly when under stress.

– Ainsworth and Bowlby

Characteristics of Secure Attachment

Deep, long lasting, emotional attachment

Influences mind, body, emotions, relationships,

and values (Levy)

Positive affect on self-esteem, independence,

enduring relationships, empathy, compassion, and

resiliency

Critical Aspect of Attachment

Emotional Sensitivity—appropriate parental emotional expression and reception. EA qualities can be observed in parents of children of any age.

Secure Attachment

Instinctual urge to attach rooted in evolution

Secure Attachment = Parents + Child

Definition of Attachment Disorder

Attachment disorder is the inability to form loving, lasting intimate relationships

Characteristics of Attachment Disorder

Lack of reciprocal behavior

Rights violations

Frequent aggressive and destructive acts

Lack of remorse

Examples of Secure-Insecure Attachment

Homer

View Movie Clip from website (9,507 kb .wmv)

Examples of Secure-Insecure Attachment

Bedtime at the

OrphanageView Movie Clip from website (4,131 kb .wmv)

Small Group Exercise 1

Overview

Definitions of Secure/Insecure Attachment

Types of Disordered Attachment

Effects of Attachment Quality & Trauma on the Developing Brain

Treatment and Strategies

Types of Insecure Attachment

Ambivalent

Avoidant

Disorganized

Ambivalent

• Cling, withdraw in unfamiliar environment

• Separation anxiety• Rejects efforts to

comfort, sooth

Avoidant

• Pseudo independence and self-sufficiency

• Rejects or avoids comforting

• Unaffected by close,intimate contacts

• Most serious form• No consistent strategy

for comfort-seeking• Depression,

motor-freezing, anddisassociation

Disorganized

Insecure Attachment Continuum

SevereSevereMildMild

Common Causes of Disorder Attachment

Abuse

Neglect

Addiction

Multiple out of home placements

Parental death/loss

SevereSevereMildMild

Hard Being An Orphan

View Movie Clip from website (5,530 kb .wmv)

Characteristics

Behavioral Emotional

Characteristics

Thought Relational

Characteristics

Physical Moral/Spiritual

Small Group Exercise 2

Overview

Definitions of Secure/Insecure Attachment

Types of Disordered Attachment

Effects of Attachment Quality & Trauma on the Developing Brain

Treatment and Strategies

Brain Development

AlteredNormal

Brain Development

Altered

Normal

Fetal—first 2 years—most rapid growth; quality of caretaking impacts brain

Alarm Reactions

Alter chemical wiring

Traumatized infants/children

Neurobehavioral problems

Attachment Disorder and ADHD

Bonding Breaks

Attachment Deficits

Symptoms of ADHD

Small Group Exercise 3

Homer Returns

View Movie Clip from website (19,304 kb .wmv)

Overview

Definitions of Secure/Insecure Attachment

Types of Disordered Attachment

Effects of Attachment Quality & Trauma on the Developing Brain

Treatment and Strategies

Treatment

Create attachment patterns Systemic approach to ward against triangulation Holistic-integrative approaches Revisit, revise, revitalize Relationship healing

Strategies for Developing Secure Attachments

Reciprocal behaviors between child and adultRespectful eye contact, body languageRespectful verbal languageCalming, soothing, nurturing responsesClaiming behaviorsPhysical proximity and touchingCareful, deliberate listeningAccepting limits - boundaries

Strategies for Developing Secure Attachments

Climate and RelationalEase and spontaneity in words and movementsComfort in compliments, affection, appreciationHarmony in words and actionsPreserve harmony and dignity under stress

Strategies for Developing Secure Attachments

Classroom Environment/StructureRationalityRealism IntuitivenessCreativityAdmit and correct mistakesBenevolence and cooperativeness

Strategies for Developing Secure Attachments

Specific Instruction and Intervention Approaches Family Bereavement Program Character trait assessment through literature Integration of Search Institute External/Internal Asset Checklist into

curriculum, lessons activities Role model unit Share personal feelings and stories Create and maintain safe, non-judgmental

instructional environment Teacher Assistance Programs

Small Group Exercise 4

References Ainsworth, M. D. S., & Wittig, B. A. (1969). Attachment and the exploratory behavior of one year olds in a

strange situation. In B. M. Foss (Ed.), Determinants of infant behavior (Vol. 4, pp. 113-136). London: Metheun.Gallup, G. H., Moore, D. W., & Schussel, R. (1995). Disciplining children in America: A Gallup Poll Report.

Princeton, NJ: The Gallup Organization.Irving, John. (1999). The Cider House Rules. Modern Library: ISBN: 0679603352 Lach, J. (1997). Facilitating developmental attachment: The road to emotional recover and behavioral change in

foster and adopted children. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson. Levy, Terry, M. (editor). (2000). Handbook of Attachment Interventions. San Diego: California. Lyons-Ruth, K., Alpern, L., & Repacholi, B. (1993). Disorganized infant attachment classification and maternal

psychosocial problems as predictors of hostile-aggressive behavior in the preschool classroom. Child Development, 64, 572-585.

 Main, M., & Solomon, J. (1990). Procedures for identifying infants as disorganized/disoriented during the Ainsworth Strange Situation. In M. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & E. M. Cummings (Eds.), Attachment in the preschool years: Theory, research, and intervention (pp. 121-160). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Perry, B. D., Pollard, R., Blakely, T., Baker, W., & Vigilante, D. (1995). Childhood trauma, the neurobiology of adaptation and “use-dependent” development of the brain: How “states” become “traits”. Infant Mental Health Journal, 16(4), 271-291.

Terr, L. A. (1991). Chihood traumas: An outline and overview. American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 1-20.The Cider House Rules. (1999). Miramax Films.

Questions

Thanks for Coming!

Maureen Mack, Ph.D.

mackmd@uwec.edu

University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire