Psychiatric staff as attachment figures. Understanding management problems in psychiatric services in the light of attachment theory.
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.


METHODS
Analysis of therapeutic relationships in the light of attachment theory.


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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Adshead
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Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne.
D017028:Caregivers; D003379:Countertransference; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009769:Object Attachment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D014754:Violence