11: An Attachment perspective on psychopathology Flashcards
What is the attachment behavioural system according to Bowlby?
- innate psychobiological system that motivates people to seek proximity to significant others in times of need
What type of interaction with significant others results in a secure attachment + a positive mental representation of self + others?
- attachment figures being available in times of need
- who are sensitive + responsive to bid for proximity + support
= positive mental representation of self + other
What are the suggested consequences of not forming a secure attachment?
- negative model of self + others
- likelihood of later emotional problems + maladjustment increases
What do the different dimensions of attachment style, as suggested by Hazan + Shaver, mean?
- Attachment-related anxiety
- worrying that attachment figure will not be available and responsive in times of need - Attachment- related avoidance
- shows the extent to which they distrust attachment figure and focuses more on independence + emotional distance
According to Mikulincer + Shaver, what does their two-dimensional conseptual space relfect the ability of what?
- ways in which they deal with threats + distress
How did Cassidy + Kobak explain how those who scored high in the two-dimensions coped with threats?
relied on secondary attachment strategies
- either deactivating or hyper-activating attachment system
According to Mikulincer + shaver, What secondary attachment strategy do people who score high on avoidant attachment use to cope with threat?
Deactivating strategies
- try not to seek proximity
- denying attachment needs
- avoiding closeness + interdependence in relationships
since. .. - AF disapproves + punished closeness + expression of need/ vulnerability
According to Mikulincer + shaver, What secondary attachment strategy do people who score high on anxiety attachment use to cope with threat?
Hyper activating strategies
- energetic attempts to achieve proximity, support
- combined w/ lack of self-confidence and when needs not met = resentment
since…
- AF unreliably respond
= always on a partial reinforcement schedule that rewards persistence in proximity-seeking attempts since they succeed sometimes
Is attachment style permanent from the interaction with parents during infancy?
NO
- meaningful relations interaction during adolescence + adulthood can move people between the two-dimensional conceptal space
Bowlby
Why can attachment insecurity be viewed as a general vulnerability to mental disorders?
since attachment style can interfere with the development of secure stable foundation
- reduces resilience in coping with stressful life events
- pre-dispose person to break down psychologically in times of crisis
What did Mikulincer + Shaver find when they reviewed attachment style + mental disorder?
- attachment insecurity common among people with a wide variety of mental disorder
- Mild distress, SZ, depression, OCD
What type of PD are the different insecuirty attachment style associated with?
Anxious attachment
= dependent, histrionic + borderline disorders
Avoidant attachment -= schizoid + avoidant disorders
What component of PD did Crawford et al find attachment anxiety is associated with?
Emotional dyregulation (Livesley)
includes. ..
- identity confusion
- anxiety
- emotional lability
- cognitive distortions
What component of PD did Crawford et al find attachment avoidant is associated with?
inhibitedness (livesley)
includes. ..
- restricted emotions
- problems with intimacy
- social avoidance
What are some reasons for why attachment style is unlikely to be sufficient causes of mental disorder other than for attachment injuries like separation anxiety?
-
- Likely to just converge with other factors or amplify their effects
- Mixed relation between attachment style avoidance + psychological distress
- The role of life history factors
- causal links complicated
- psychological problems can change attachment insecurity