Adult Attachment Typology in a Sample of High-Risk Mothers

Bibliographic Data

ID10517869
AuthorsMarian S Harris (University of Washington Tacoma, corresponding author)
Year2011
Volume81
Issue1
Pages41-61
Publication date2011-01-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSmith College Studies in Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0037-7317 • E-ISSN: 1553-0426
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00377317.2011.543043
OpenAlexW2044637174
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited22

This study examined differences in attachment typology, early histories of unresolved trauma and loss, and intergenerational patterns of substance abuse in a high-risk sample of African American, White, Mexican American, and Native American mothers involved with the child welfare system. The Adult Attachment Interview and Chemical Dependency Assessment Profile were used to collect data from 24 mothers who were in-patients at a substance abuse treatment center. Consistent with attachment theory mothers classified as secure/autonomous (46%) had positive early attachment relationships, although several mothers in this group had histories of unresolved trauma and loss. The insecure classification included 21% dismissing and 33% preoccupied. The unresolved classification included mothers from all racial/ethnic groups who had histories of trauma and loss. Results indicated prevalence of substance abuse in all racial/ethnic groups as well as patterns of intergenerational substance abuse in the aforementioned attachment classifications

Attachment measures · Attachment theory · Developmental psychology · Ethnic group · Geography · Psychiatry · Substance abuse · Typology · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child Welfare and Adoption · Clinical Psychology · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Psychology

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