The Victoria University of Manchester. Trauma and ... Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre .... Support funding from Mental Health Foundation, Dept of.
Trauma and Child Attachment Representation – The Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST) Jonathan Green University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital Manchester, UK
Combining the strengths of UMIST and The Victoria University of Manchester
Attachment theory • Integration of ethological, evolutionary, systemic, psychodynamic and empirical approaches (Bowlby 1969, 1982, 1988). • In distress infants selectively seek proximity to known adults for comfort using goal directed behaviours. • Attachment behaviours alternate with exploratory behaviours. • Early interactions around distress become internalised into an ‘internal working model’ (IWM) of how distress can be assuaged, shaping perceptions, thought and behaviour (Main 1985, 1991). Combining the strengths of UMIST and The Victoria University of Manchester
Transactional model – behaviour and internal states Early Interactions
Evolving Interactions
Continuing Relationships
Other Factors Internal Representations (a)
Combining the strengths of UMIST and The Victoria University of Manchester
Internal Working Model (b)
Biasing other relationships and behaviour
Why be interested in Attachment clinically? • Theory of specific dyadic relationships • Helps understand • Motivational system of goal directed behaviour • Affective responses in context • Child mental state and social cognition Combining the strengths of UMIST and The Victoria University of Manchester
Patterns of attachment •
Patterns of ‘attachment behaviour’ in toddlers and older children (Ainsworth et al 1979, ff)
