Davies, Eryn A. (2012) Attachment Intervention and Change: Psychophysiology and Psychopathology Perspectives. Doctorate (other than PhD) thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Attachment theory proposes that children develop internal working models of self and others based on the secure base they build with their primary caregiver (Wei, Mallinckrodt, Larson, & Zakalik, 2005). When this responsiveness and secure base is inconsistent or disorganised, the child may develop an unhealthy working model that is reinforced throughout the developmental years, (Shorey & Snyder, 2006; Wei et al., 2005). Based on developmental and attachment theories, the presented research aimed to change unhealthy attachment dyads to healthy dyads through the Circle Of Security intervention (Marvin, Cooper, Hoffman & Powell, 2002) investigating psychophysiology and psychopathology perspectives in the primary caregiver. The present research used a single case, time series, multiple baseline methodology exploring hypotheses of attachment change across the Circle of Security Intervention in relation and comparison to psychophysiology and psychopathology changes in the primary caregiver. The statistical design used a mixed methods approach, incorporating a triangulation analysis. Twelve (12) dyads began the intervention, eleven (11) completed the program. Seventythree percent (73%) achieved a positive attachment change. Study One found that although Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) scores and heart rate measures were often opposing, the majority of participants experienced a decrease in physiological measures across the intervention. Study Two found the majority of participants experienced a decrease in all psychopathology measures and all participants showed a correlation of differing strengths between heart rate and reported psychopathology with often a one to two week lag in physiological changes. The triangulation design strengthened the investigation between attachment change, psychopathology and physiology, showing congruency between reported psychopathology, physiological iii arousal and attachment change in 18 percent of participants. Overall, the present research argues that a child with attachment difficulties must be supported through the combined approach of working with the caregiver. Through this combined approach, the community health system will benefit from limiting the public resource needs of the family in the future.
|
Statistics for this ePrint Item |
| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Doctorate (other than PhD)) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Sue Littler |
| Qualification: | Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Sep 2025 00:04 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Sep 2025 00:04 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | attachment dyads ; primary caregiver ; developmental years |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52252 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Archive Repository Staff Only |
