Attachment as an organizer of behavior: implications for substance abuse problems and willingness to seek treatment

Kristin M Caspers,Rebecca Yucuis,Ruth Spinks,Beth Troutman

doi:10.1186/1747-597x-1-32

Kristin M Caspers, Rebecca Yucuis + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1747-597x-1-32

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Abstract

BackgroundAttachment theory allows specific predictions about the role of attachment representations in organizing behavior. Insecure attachment is hypothesized to predict maladaptive emotional regulation whereas secure attachment is hypothesized to predict adaptive emotional regulation. In this paper, we test specific hypotheses about the role of attachment representations in substance abuse/dependence and treatment participation. Based on theory, we expect divergence between levels of maladaptive functioning and adaptive methods of regulating negative emotions.MethodsParticipants for this study consist of a sample of adoptees participating in an ongoing longitudinal adoption study (n = 208). The Semi-Structured Assessment of the Genetics of Alcohol-II [41] was used to determine lifetime substance abuse/dependence and treatment participation. Attachment representations were derived by the Adult Attachment Interview [AAI; [16]]. We constructed a prior contrasts reflecting theoretical predictions for the association between attachment representations, substance abuse/dependence and treatment participation.ResultsLogistic regression was used to test our hypotheses. As predicted, individuals classified as dismissing, preoccupied or earned-secure reported the highest rates of substance abuse/dependence. Individuals classified as dismissing reported significantly lower rates of treatment participation despite their high rates of substance abuse/dependence. As expected, the continuous-secure group reported lowest rates of both substance abuse/dependence and treatment participation.ConclusionThe findings from this study identify attachment representations as an influential factor in understanding the divergence between problematic substance use and treatment utilization. The findings further imply that treatment may need to take attachment representations into account to promote successful recovery.

Highlights

Attachment theory allows specific predictions about the role of attachment representations in organizing behavior
Early experiences with caregivers are transformed into internal mental representations of attachment during childhood and adolescence [3,7,8,9,10]
Tion between problematic substance use and scales most often attributed to a dismissing state of mind and a negative association with scales most often associated with preoccupied attachment

Summary

Introduction

Attachment theory allows specific predictions about the role of attachment representations in organizing behavior. We test specific hypotheses about the role of attachment representations in substance abuse/ dependence and treatment participation. Early experiences with caregivers are transformed into internal mental representations of attachment during childhood and adolescence [3,7,8,9,10]. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy 2006, 1:32 http://www.substanceabusepolicy.com/content/1/1/32 are further believed to affect behavior by influencing the intensity of emotional experience and subsequent attempts at emotional regulation [3,8]. We utilize the concept of attachment as an organizational construct from which predictions about substance use problems and willingness to seek treatment can be derived [12]. Allen et al [31] failed to find a significant overall effect of attachment category on substance abuse

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Conclusion