Attachment Theory: A Case Study

Attachment theory is not considered a theory of psychotherapy, but a developmental psychodynamic theory, in that a child’s early development of attachment to a caregiver unconsciously impacts that child in forming adult attachments. Insecure attachment has been shown to negatively impact generations as a child with an insecure attachment may become a parent, who parents with an insecure attachment, this is said to be intergenerational transmission (Berzoff, Melano Flanagan, & Hertz, 2016). This paper will: (1) define attachment theory and provide a historical perspective; (2) delineate some of its strengths and weaknesses; (3) provide clinical application through a case presentation; Lastly, summarize a research study that examines the association between attachment and chronic illness.

Theory and History
Attachment theory began with a British child psychiatrist, John Bowlby, who worked with emotionally disturbed young children and realized that he could help them by positively influencing how the parents interacted with them. He noted that some of these children exhibited antisocial behavior or lacked any affection, and he theorized that it resulted from
was neglected and abused in the early years of ego development, she more than likely had an insecure attachment to her mother, more specifically a preoccupied, unresolved/disorganized, or fearful attachment style. According to attachment theory, she internalized this attachment style, and it now shapes how she relates. In Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), childhood histories usually include abuse and adult relationships are defined by instability, mistrust, unpredictability, and explosiveness. This is how S.M. relates to everyone. Other features of BPD include emotional dysregulation, negative affect, and impulsivity, which S.M. exhibits. It is essential for clinicians to know how to assess relational dysfunction and know how to address such (Huprich, Nelson, Paggeot, Lengu & Albright,