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Psychiatric staff as attachment figures

Understanding management problems in psychiatric services in the light of attachment theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Gwen Adshead
Gwen Adshead*
Affiliation:
Broadmoor Hospital
*
Dr Gwen Adshead, Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7EG
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Abstract

Background

Attachment theory argues that psychological development and functioning are affected by our earliest attachments to care-givers. Failed or pathological attachment in childhood may give rise to repetition of maladaptive attachment patterns in adulthood.

Method

Analysis of therapeutic relationships in the light of attachment theory.

Results

Relationships between patients and both psychiatric care-givers and institutions may resemble attachment relationships.

Conclusion

An attachment perspective may be useful for understanding common behavioural disturbances in general psychiatric settings, and support the use of clinical strategies which focus on containment of arousal and the management of anxiety states.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 172 , Issue 1 , January 1998 , pp. 64 - 69
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

∗

The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Journal of Psychotherapy awarded the author a Psychotherapy Prize for an earlier version of this paper.

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