Attachment Injuries in Couple Relationships: A New Perspective on Impasses in Couples Therapy

Abstract

This article identifies and operationalizes the newly defined construct of attachment injury. An attachment injury occurs when one partner violates the expectation that the other will offer comfort and caring in times of danger or distress. This incident becomes a clinically recurring theme and creates an impasse that blocks relationship repair in couples therapy. An attachment injury is characterized by an abandonment or by a betrayal of trust during a critical moment of need. The injurious incident defines the relationship as insecure and maintains relationship distress because it is continually used as a standard for the dependability of the offending partner. The concept of an attachment injury is defined here in the context of emotionally focused therapy, an empirically validated, short-term approach to modifying distress in couples. The broad theoretical underpinnings of this concept may be found in attachment theory as applied to adult romantic relationships. Through the delineation of attachment injury events and the ongoing development of a detailed model of resolution, couples therapists will be better able to identify, describe, and effectively treat such injuries and address the therapeutic impasses that are associated with them.

The role of romantic attachment and self‐criticism and dependency for the relationship satisfaction of community adults

“…First, because stress has been shown to activate representations concerning romantic attachment (e.g. Mikulincer and Orbach, 1995), and second, because in situations of distress the couple relationship may be more vulnerable to attachment injuries (Johnson et al, 2001). Johnson and colleagues (2001) have defined an attachment injury as a negative attachment-related event in which one partner is inaccessible and unresponsive in times when the other partner has an urgent need for his or her caring and support; for example, when having a miscarriage or when receiving the diagnosis of infertility.…”

Biological Stress Regulation in Female Adolescents: A Key Role for Confiding

“…The largely understudied HPA axis hormone DHEA is fundamental to development and offers the opportunity to deepen our knowledge regarding the key attachment behavior of confiding, which is considered analogous to the trademark of the infant attachment system that is proximity-seeking (Bifulco et al, 2002;Freeman & Brown, 2001;Johnson et al, 2001). In the current study, we found that the hormones cortisol and DHEA are differentially associated with dimensions of attachment in female adolescents.…”

“…Developing autonomy from parents, or individuating, is a fundamental psychosocial task of adolescence identified by developmental theorists (for example Erikson, 1968). From adolescence forward, one dimension of attachment behavior suggested to be especially important is the ability to disclose and confide in a clear direct way about attachment needs and fears (Johnson, Makinen, & Millikin, 2001). Confiding in a close other is the analogue of the hallmark attachment behavior of seeking proximity to a caregiver in childhood and using caregivers as a safe haven to regulate feelings of insecurity and distress (Bifulco, Moran, Ball, & Bernazzani, 2002;Freeman & Brown, 2001;Johnson et al, 2001).…”

“…From adolescence forward, one dimension of attachment behavior suggested to be especially important is the ability to disclose and confide in a clear direct way about attachment needs and fears (Johnson, Makinen, & Millikin, 2001). Confiding in a close other is the analogue of the hallmark attachment behavior of seeking proximity to a caregiver in childhood and using caregivers as a safe haven to regulate feelings of insecurity and distress (Bifulco, Moran, Ball, & Bernazzani, 2002;Freeman & Brown, 2001;Johnson et al, 2001). The importance of confiding as an attachment behavior is echoed in recent policy initiatives, with the UK Department for Education and Skills (2006) highlighting the need for young people to "… build secure attachments -this evidenced through confiding relationships and should be assessed through exploring the existence of supportive relationships and capacity to share difficulties and accept help" (p. 48).…”

Prototype Use in Perceptions of Prejudice in Interactions Between Whites and Latinos

“…Specifically, individuals with victimiza tion histories grew up to be less comfortable with intimacy and trusting others, more likely to fear abandonment, and more likely to suffer from a low self esteem. Thus, it seems reasonable to hypothesize that negative relationship events (e.g., victimization, rejection, or betrayal) would be linked to more negative or insecure views of close relationships (Johnson et al, 2001). …”