Attachment in Adulthood

Attachment in Adulthood

1. Adult Assessment Interview (AAI) - a semi-structured autobiographical narrative tool designed to access adults' representations of their own attachment relationships during infancy and childhood

2. Autonomous - an adult's state of mind that is assessed by the AAI and is found to be secure with respect to attachment where the adult can recall a range of positive and negative feelings about his/her early attachment experiences

3. Dismissing - an adult's state of mind that is assessed by AAI and is found to be insecure with respect to attachment, the adult may minimise attachment behaviours and feelings & present a picture of being immune to hurt or even the need for emotional intimacy

4. Preoccupied - an adult's state of mind assessed by AAI and is found to be insecure with respect to attachment where the adult may struggle with managing anxiety, exaggerate emotion, negative beliefs about the self and respond to loss with intense anger and depression

5. Unresolved/ disorganised - an adult's state of mind assessed by AAI is found to show a lack of resolution regarding past traumatic experiences relating to attachment