A method for identifying the psychological and interpersonal self-protective attachment strategies of adults. This book focuses upon new methods of analysis for adult attachment texts. The authors' introduce a highly nuanced model-the Dynamic-Maturational Model (DMM)-providing clinicians with a finely-tuned tool for helping patients examine past relationships, in addition to gauging the potential effectiveness of various treatment options. The authors offer a fascinating explanation of the neurobiological underpinnings of DMM, grounded in findings from the cognitive neurosciences about information processing. In this volume, readers have an eminently practical, theoretically-grounded work that is sure to transform many types of therapy. --- from the publisher Endorsements & Reviews: “[The authors'] provocative theoretical and classificatory approach aims to extend the applications of research on adult attachment to practicing clinicians and to the empirical investigation of child protection issues, mental disorders, and mental health treatment. This innovative and thought-provoking volume should be read by developmental and clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and developmental psychopathologists.” — Dante Cicchetti, PhD, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota “This complex, challenging, and compassionate book is as groundbreaking as the Adult Attachment Interview itself was twenty-five years ago. Building on the work of Bowlby, Ainsworth, and Main and applying recent discoveries in cognitive and neuroscience, Crittenden and Landini detail a new path for attachment theory. The Dynamic Maturational Model, applied to the AAI, promises rich rewards to clinicians, basic and applied developmental researchers, and professionals in a variety of fields from child welfare to criminology.” — Susan Spieker, PhD, Professor and Director of Family and Child Nursing, Center on Infant Mental Health & Development, University of Washington “The book is clear, accessible, and written with compassion. It represents a culmination of thinking and research in the best traditions of both the scholar practitioner and the scientist research practitioner. If I had my way, this book would form the heart of all psychotherapeutic and applied clinical practitioner trainings!” — Professor Arlene Vetere, AcSS, FBPsS, PsychD, Deputy Director in Clinical Psychology, University of Surrey “This book brings together a wealth of research, clinical and training experience, offering more than just a new approach to the analysis of adult attachment texts. It will be of great value for researchers, clinicians, and trainers.” — Professor Rudi Dallos, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Plymouth Contents: 1. Introduction: “D’you Know What I Mean?” Part I. A Dynamic-Maturational Approach to Attachment Theory 2. Theoretical Background 3. Information Processing 4. Constructs Part II. The Classificatory System 5. Overview of the Type B (Balanced) Strategies 6. Overview of The Type A Strategies and A1-2 7. Compulsive Type A Strategies (A3-8): Coping with danger 8. Overview of The Type C Strategies and C1-2 • C. Disarmingly desirous of comfort (C2) 9. Obsessive Type C Strategies (C3-8): Coping with Uncertainty, Ambiguity and Threat 10. Types A/C and AC 11. Conditions that Reflect the Disruption of Interpersonal Self-Protective Strategies: Unresolved Trauma or Loss 12. Conditions that Reflect the Failure of Interpersonal Self-Protective Strategies: A move to the Intrapersonal and extra-familial levels Part III. From Theory to Application 13. The Classificatory Process and Classificatory Guidelines 14. But what shall I do? Transforming an AAI classification into a Plan for Treatment 15. Validity and Clinical Implications of the DMM-AAI 16. Appendices A. Glossary of abbreviations used in the book B. Correspondence between DMM and M&G classificatory systems ABOUT THE AUTHOR About the Authors: Patricia McKinsey Crittenden, PhD, is a developmental psychologist. She lives in Miami, Florida. Andrea Landini, MD, is a developmental psychiatrist. He lives in Italy. |