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Published on: January 5, 2018
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ATTACHMENT AND MEMORY STABILITY
Paula Thomson1, S Victoria Jaque1
1Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, California, USA.
Summary
Passive states of mind predict unresolved childhood trauma and lack of resolution in adults. Retrospective reporting of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) remains stable, highlighting the importance of assessing a speaker's state of mind.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Attachment representations are stable, rooted in autobiographical memory.
- The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) assesses states of mind (secure, insecure, disorganized) and attachment memories.
- AAI coherence in recounting past events is longitudinally stable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine predictors of unresolved states of mind in a non-clinical sample.
- To investigate the relationship between passive states of mind, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and unresolved attachment.
- To determine if memory-related factors predict lack of resolution.
Main Methods:
- Study of 130 active, non-clinical individuals.
- Utilized the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) to assess states of mind.
- Examined retrospective reporting of ACEs and memory-related factors.
Main Results:
- Passive states of mind predicted unresolved loss and childhood abuse.
- Both passive states of mind and higher ACEs predicted overall lack of resolution (disorganized state).
- Lack of memory and dissociative amnesia were not significant predictors.
Conclusions:
- Retrospective reporting of ACEs is stable over time.
- Clinical assessment should focus on the speaker's state of mind, following attachment protocols.
- Enduring Internal Working Models (IWMs) influence memory storage and recounting.
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