File(s) under permanent embargo
Understanding posttrauma reactions within an attachment theory framework
journal contribution
posted on 2019-02-01, 00:00 authored by Emma MarshallEmma Marshall, P A Frazier© 2018 Elsevier Ltd The purpose of this paper is to review recent research on posttrauma reactions (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms and self-reported posttraumatic growth [PTG]) using attachment theory as a framework. Attachment orientations are significantly related to PTSD symptoms: insecure attachment orientations (particularly attachment anxiety) are positively associated with PTSD symptoms whereas attachment security is negatively associated with PTSD symptoms. Although associations appear to be reciprocal, research typically focuses on insecure attachment orientations predicting PTSD symptoms and the possible mechanisms of those relations, particularly a lack of social support. Some trauma characteristics (e.g., trauma severity) also appear to moderate the association between attachment and PTSD symptoms. Research on attachment orientations and PTG, however, has yielded mixed results. More rigorous methods are needed to better understand the role of attachment orientations in actual growth from pre to post-trauma.
History
Journal
Current opinion in psychologyVolume
25Pagination
167 - 171Publisher
ElseiverLocation
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsPublisher DOI
ISSN
2352-250XLanguage
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2018, ElsevierUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC