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Articles: Kenneth Ma Attachment theory in adult psychiatry. Part 2: Importance to the therapeutic relationship Adv Psychiatr Treat 2007; 13: 10-16 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Relevance of Attachment Theory

Tanvir A. Rana   (15 January 2007)

Relevance of Attachment Theory 15 January 2007
Tanvir A. Rana, Visiting Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health & Sciences, Staffordshire University, Stafford. ST18 0D Send letter to journal: Re: Relevance of Attachment Theory tanvir_rana{at}hotmail.com Tanvir A. Rana	Kenneth Ma’s article very aptly emphasizes the significance of attachment theory in relation to the therapeutic relationship which has important implications regarding the treatment and prognosis of psychiatric disorders. Although an offspring of psychoanalysis, attachment theory has even been conspicuously neglected for a long time by the main proponents of Freud and Klein. Fonagay( 2001) has recently attempted to integrate the overlapping areas of attachment theory and psychoanalysis, and deserves credit for re-awakening interest in Bowlby's work. Although some of the criticisms of attachment theory are not unfounded, there is evidence that concepts of attachment theory can be used in making significant predictions regarding relationships , styles of coping with stressful situations, and communication between couples. (Brennan & Shaver, 1994 ; Kirkpatrick & Davis, 1994) . Similarly Holmes( 2000), has suggested that attachment theory can help with clinical listening and identifying and intervening with different narrative styles in therapy. On the other hand , there is a dire need to guard ourselves against the possibility of becoming over-optimistic about attachment theory .We need to remind ourselves that although important, Bowlby’s observations were based on the children who had been separated from their primary caregivers during the Second World War (Lemma, 2003) In other words , attachment theory was based on behaviors that occurred during stressful situations rather than during normal environment. As Field (1996) has pointed out , a wider and in depth understanding of attachment requires observation of interactions between mother and infant during natural and non stressful situations . I concur with Dr. Ma that more rigorous research is required in the areas highlighted in this, as well as the previous article. The idea of using attachment theory for service configuration seems to me very over ambitious. References Brennan,K. &Shaver, P.(1994) Dimensions of adult attachment, affect regulation and romantic relationship functioning. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 21: 267-283 Field, T. (1996). Attachment and separation in young children. Annual Review of Psychology, 47, 541-562. Fonagy,P.(2001) Attachment theory and Psychoanalysis. New York: Other Press Holmes , J.(2000) Attachment theory and Psychoanalysis: A Rapprochement .British Journal of Psychotherapy 17 (2), 157–172. Lemma, A.( 2003) Introduction to the practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Chichester: Wiley