An investigation of the attachment organization of clinical psychologists and its relationship to clinical practice.

Publisher: British Psychological Society Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0370640 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0007-1129 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00071129 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Br J Med Psychol Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Letchworth Eng : British Psychological Society
Original Publication: London [etc.]

Life Change Events* ; Psychology*; Reactive Attachment Disorder/*psychology; Adult ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Caregivers ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reactive Attachment Disorder/etiology

Recent research on attachment theory as a model for understanding adult relationships and for psychotherapy suggests that the attachment organization of therapists could influence their approach to therapeutic work. A postal questionnaire including two measures of current adult attachment and one of early loss experience, together with measures of current clinical practice, was completed by 196 British clinical psychologists (40.4% return rate). Seventy per cent of the sample rated themselves as secure (a greater proportion than in the general population). The sample as a whole scored higher on the attachment pattern of 'compulsive care-giving' than on any of the other insecure patterns of attachment. A number of significant differences were found between the secure and insecure groups in approach to work, interest in working with different clients and difficulty experienced in therapeutic practice. A relationship was found between the amount of early loss experienced and current attachment style, therapeutic orientation and experience of therapy. Implications for the training and development of psychologists are considered and directions for future research are suggested.

Date Created: 20010105 Date Completed: 20010301 Latest Revision: 20190915

20240627

10.1348/000711200160651

11140787