Object Attachment Research Articles

Sensory processing relates to attachment to childhood comfort objects of college students

The author tested the hypothesis that attachment to comfort objects is based on the sensory processing characteristics of the individual. Fifty-two undergraduate students with and without a childhood comfort object reported sensory responses and performed a tactile threshold task. Those with a comfort object described their object and rated their attachment to it. Participants with a strong attachment liked the texture of their comfort object and sleeping with it. Smell sensitivity in childhood, seeking out tactile stimulation as children, and tactile threshold predicted the intensity of object attachment. Participants with comfort objects showed a higher tactile threshold and reported seeking out more tactile stimulation as children than participants without a comfort object did. These findings suggest that children with an object attachment seek out more sensory stimulation through touch, which in turn is soothing. Results support growing research linking sensory processing to psychological functioning.

The "Original Couple": Enabling Mothers and Infants to Think About What Destroys as Well as Engenders Love, When There Has Been Intimate Partner Violence

This paper addresses the importance for therapists, working with infants, of holding in mind all aspects of the parental couple's relationship history, both positive and negative. This also includes the therapists' possible ambivalence about a violent father. Using object relations and attachment theory frameworks we articulate our approach to the "original couple" when working in the area of family violence and infant mental health. We propose that if therapists can develop this capacity, it assists both mothers, and ultimately their infants, in tolerating thinking about their violent experiences. Work with infants and their mothers in an infant/mother psychotherapy group for those affected by family violence is described, illustrated by a clinical vignette.

Attachment to objects as compensation for close others' perceived unreliability

Attachment theory posits that close interpersonal relationships provide people with psychological security across the lifespan. Research shows that when people perceive that close others are unreliable, they may seek alternative, non-social sources of security (e.g., deities). Building on this work, the authors hypothesized that attachment to objects compensates for threatened attachment security when close others are unreliable. Participants primed with close others', but not strangers', unreliability reported increased attachment to belongings (Study 1), and this effect was mediated by feelings of attachment anxiety (concern over close others' availability), but not attachment avoidance (avoiding emotional dependence; Study 2), suggesting that object attachment compensates for the perception that close others are unreliable rather than consistently rejecting. In Study 3, when a valued belonging was removed, participants primed with uncertainty about their relationships showed increased separation anxiety and motivation to reunite with the belonging, regardless of the belonging's perceived importance for facilitating relationships.

The Automaton Self: Defensive organisation, psychodynamics and treatment approaches

In this article, I discuss certain traits of a personality structure, termed the Automaton Self,1 that appear to emerge in order to defend the individual from awareness of particular thoughts, feelings and emotions. It is suggested that such defences are deployed following the absence of a basic human need having been met, namely relationships with others, principally the primary caregivers, built on mutual reciprocity, that subsequently facilitate the internalisation of symbolising capacities. Previously, I had discussed these defensive organisations, termed automata states, in relation to individuals who appeared to exhibit borderline personalities (Sweet, A.D. (2010). Automata states and their relation to primitive mechanisms of defence. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy 24(2), 101–114). I did this from the perspectives of both object relations and attachment based theoretical modalities. The intra and inter-psychic manifestations of projective identification, indicative of the automaton defensive repertoire based on splitting, were linked to gross environmental impingements that these patients appeared to suffer, during their formative developmental years. In this article, a fuller exploration of the personality structure, termed the Automaton Self, is presented. Attention is given to the defensive functions of the self structure, the meta-psychological foundations of this particular personality organisation and the implications and practicalities for the psychotherapeutic treatment of individuals who appear to display this personality type.

GPU Accelerated 2-D Staggered-grid Finite Difference Seismic Modelling

The staggered-grid finite difference (FD) method demands significantly computational capability and is inefficient for seismic wave modelling in 2-D viscoelastic media on a single PC. To improve computation speedup, a graphic processing units (GPUs) accelerated method was proposed, for modern GPUs have now become ubiquitous in desktop computers and offer an excellent cost-to-performance-ratio parallelism. The geophysical model is decomposed into subdomains for PML absorbing conditions. The vertex and fragment processing are fully used to solve FD schemes in parallel and the latest updated frames are swapped in Framebuffer Object (FBO) attachments as inputs for the next simulation step. The seismic simulation program running on modern PCs provides significant speedup over a CPU implementation, which makes it possible to simulate realtime complex seismic propagation in high resolution of 2048*2048 gridsizes on low-cost PCs.

Relational psychotherapy: The significance of father

The role of fathers with young children has changed considerably in our society in the past four decades. They now play a far more active part in the lives of their children. Since the development of object relational theories and the move from drive theory, the mother has occupied the central role in psychoanalysis. This paper seeks to link the changing role of the father in society to the fathering role in psychotherapy and consider the relational approach as furthering that scope for change. The traditional role of the father in society and in therapy has been a supporting one which often implied a certain distance from direct caring. Societal changes in the paternal role and relational ideas which advocate a greater presence of the therapist can lead to the creation of broader therapeutic relationships for male therapists and their patients. In the British context this shift in technique has been made possible by object relations and attachment theory and has directly affected the way that therapists approach their work. It would be interesting to think about whether or not the male therapist would be seen to play a more active role in the story of the patient's early development by engaging with pre-oedipal disturbance or misattunement.

Understanding Object Attachment and Meaning for Nursing Home Residents: An Exploratory Study, Including Implications for Occupational Therapy

ABSTRACTIn this study we explored which objects were brought with the person to a nursing home, how this process occurred, which objects reflected an affective bond between person and those object (i.e., attachment), and what was the nature of this bond (i.e., meaning). We also considered how the objects reflected past and present occupational roles of the person, providing a window toward understanding each person as an occupational being. Fourteen participants, aged 65 and older, took part in this study. A phenomenological design with semi-structured interviews was conducted in order to understand the objects present in each person's living environment. Qualitative analysis resulted in nine overall categories of objects that consistently appeared within the interviews, which included (a) decorative items, (b) pictures, (c) electronics, (d) religious objects, (e) stuffed animals/dolls, (f) items one can wear, (g) plants/flowers, (h) linens, and (i) leisure objects. All but one participant identified at least one item that held significant value and importance regarding either (a) past work roles, (b) social participation, in particular, role as a family member, or (c) leisure participation. By exploring the objects in the room of a resident, an occupational therapist can better understand the person as an occupational being, both historically and currently. This information can be useful during the assessment process and for developing an intervention plan in occupational therapy.

Attachment to people and to objects in obsessive-compulsive disorder: an exploratory comparison of hoarders and non-hoarders

People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who hoard have been posited to have an atypical emotional attachment to the inanimate objects that they pathologically accumulate, yet this hypothesis has not been formally examined using methodology from the attachment field. To explore this hypothesis, attachment to people and to inanimate objects was assessed in 30 individuals with OCD (n = 14 hoarders, n = 16 non-hoarders). Attachment was assessed using standard measures of interpersonal attachment: the Reciprocal Attachment Questionnaire and the Five Minute Speech Statement. These measures were adapted to evaluate inanimate object attachment as well. The data provides preliminary evidence that individuals who hoard report significantly higher levels of emotional over-involvement (EOI) with inanimate objects and lower levels of EOI with people than non-hoarders. Hoarders also reported significantly higher levels of care-seeking behavior from inanimate objects, and less effectiveness in making use of the inanimate object relationship in comparison to non-hoarders. Hoarding severity was correlated with significantly increased dysfunction in all of these areas. Fear of losing an inanimate object was found to significantly predict hoarding severity. In general, female participants had significantly higher mean ratings of interpersonal attachment insecurity than male participants, regardless of OCD symptomatology. Although limited in sample size and methodology, this study provides preliminary data on attachment style in people with OCD, and the data generate specific hypotheses about attachment in those who compulsively hoard that should be explored in future research.

Reversible and Irreversible Binding of Nanoparticles to Polymeric Surfaces

Reversible and irreversible binding of CdSe‐nanoparticles and nanorods to polymeric surfaces via a strong, multiple hydrogen bond (= Hamilton‐receptor/barbituric acid) is described. Based on ROMP‐copolymers, the supramolecular interaction on a thin polymer film is controlled by living polymerization methods, attaching the Hamilton‐receptor in various architectures, and concentrations. Strong binding is observed with CdSe‐nanoparticles and CdSe‐nanorods, whose surfaces are equipped with matching barbituric acid‐moieties. Addition of polar solvents, able to break the hydrogen bonds leads to the detachment of the nanoparticles from the polymeric film. Irreversible binding is observed if an azide/alkine‐“click”‐reaction is conducted after supramolecular recognition of the nanoparticles on the polymeric surface. Thus reversible or irreversible attachment of the nanosized objects can be achieved.

Enhancement of attachment and cognitive development of young nursery‐reared chimpanzees in responsive versus standard care

Forty-six nursery-reared chimpanzee infants (22 females and 24 males) receiving either standard care (n = 29) or responsive care (n = 17) at the Great Ape Nursery at Yerkes participated in this study. Standard care (ST) consisted primarily of peer-rearing, with humans providing essential health-related care. Responsive care (RC) consisted of an additional 4 hr of interaction 5 days a week with human caregivers who were specially trained to enhance species-typical chimpanzee socio-emotional and communicative development. At 9 months, ST and RC chimpanzees were examined with the Bayley Scales for Infant Development to assess their Mental Development Index (MDI). At 12 months, the chimpanzees were assessed with their human caregivers in the Ainsworth Strange Situation Procedure (SSP). In this first study to use the SSP in chimpanzees, nursery-reared chimpanzees exhibited the definite patterns of distress, proximity seeking, and exploration that underpin the SSP for human infants. In ST chimpanzees the attachment classification distribution was similar to that of human infants raised in Greek or Romanian orphanages. RC chimpanzees showed less disorganized attachment to their human caregivers, had a more advanced cognitive development, and displayed less object attachment compared to ST chimpanzees. Responsive care stimulates chimpanzees' cognitive and emotional development, and is an important factor in ameliorating some of the adverse effects of institutional care.

E Uno Plurus: Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Age of Pluralism

Until 1970 the dominant theoretical framework in American psychoanalysis was Freudian ego psychology. Since then a number of additional theories, such as object relations theory (including, but not restricted to, the Kleinian approach), self psychology, relational psychoanalysis, and attachment theory have evolved and compete with contemporary ego psychology in the current marketplace of psychoanalytic ideas. There is considerable controversy about whether it is advantageous to work from one theoretical model and apply it to all clinical situations, or whether to utilize all the available paradigms, making judgments about which model or combination of them is most useful in a particular clinical situation or at a particular clinical moment. The latter approach might be termed pluralistic. Though a pluralistic approach is not without its philosophic and practical difficulties, such a perspective is helpful in understanding the complexity of human behavior and in facilitating therapeutic growth. A pluralistic approach is familiar to contemporary psychotherapists, who must utilize multiple frameworks in constructing biopsychosocial formulations of their patients. A pluralistic perspective is advantageous in promoting a therapeutic alliance, since it lends itself to a collaborative therapeutic process with patients. A brief clinical vignette is presented to illustrate these ideas.

Building a Secure Internal Attachment: An Intra-Relational Approach to Ego Strengthening and Emotional Processing with Chronically Traumatized Clients

ABSTRACT In this paper, we introduce Intra-Relational AEDP (I-R) as an attachment-based experiential approach to trauma treatment. Integrating Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) (Fosha, 2000a,b, 2002, 2003) with ego-state methodology, intra-relational interventions specifically seeks to help clients by (1) fostering capacities for self-regulation through shared states of affective resonance between therapist, client, and dissociated self-states; (2) facilitating authentic, open internal dialogue between self-states which can alter engrained patterns of intra-psychic conflict and self-punishment; (3) developing abilities for self-reflection and emotional processing by co-mingling previously disowned affect and emotional memories with here and now experience; and (4) attending to positive affects evoked through experiences of transformation, self-compassion, and self-affirmation. Drawing from object relations and attachment theory, intra-relational interventions places particular emphasis on internal attachment relationships formed through interactions between the client's subjective selves (internal subjects) and reflective selves (internal objects). Through visual imagery, internal dialogue, and explicit relational techniques, intra-relational interventions aims to develop this subjective-reflective dyad's capacity for reciprocal attunement, resonance, and responsiveness. Such clinical strategies aim to foster healing and psychological integration between the client and heretofore disavowed aspects of self.

Outcome of Psychoanalytically Oriented Outpatient Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder

This study examines the outcome of up to fifteen months of psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy (primarily based on object relations and attachment theory) for patients with borderline personality disorder. Nineteen patients with borderline personality disorder, diagnosed by an experienced psychiatrist as part of the general clinical evaluation, were offered two years of treatment in an outpatient setting. Treatment included individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy, psychoanalytic group therapy, and group-based psychoeducation. Outcome was measured with a battery of self-report questionnaires: the Beck Anxiety Index (BAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Symptom Check-List (SCL-90-R). Analyses focused primarily on the first fifteen months of treatment. The dropout rate was relatively high, but patients who remained in treatment (N=11) reported statistically significant positive changes in levels of anxiety and depression and general level of functioning. We found no significant differences between the group of patients who remained in treatment and those who dropped out. Follow-up data for up to 32 months indicated not only that the positive changes observed were maintained, but that patients who completed at least fifteen months of treatment reported additional improvements in the follow-up period.

The Fictive Object and Disordered Attachments

This paper examines the challenges encountered by the analyst when working with patients with disordered attachment relationships, particularly disorganized-disoriented. The author proposes that early in development these patients retreat from authentic contact with their attachment figures into a world of fictive relationships, as a defense against punishing and malignant maternal environments. Consequently, the conscious internal working models that develop are based on the self with the fictive object, leading to an overall lack of coherence in the attachment narratives of these patients. The author contends that the fictive object becomes part of implicit relational knowing and is identified by the highly discrepant semantic-episodic memories in explicit memory. The fictive object incorporates aspects of Fairbairn's “moral defense,” Bowlby's idealized internal working model, Sullivan's “illusory me-you patterns,” Riesenberg-Malcolm and Roth's falsely idealized object, and Bion's reverse of proper alpha function. A detailed case illustration is presented that demonstrates how the analyst's recognition and understanding of the phenomenon of the fictive object facilitates the patient's capacity for authentic relatedness within the analytic dyad.

Primitive anxieties which interfere with attachment

This paper examines a detailed description of a clinical intervention with a baby and his family in order to explore some of the primitive anxieties that may interfere with attachment. Conceptual bridges between British Object Relations Theory and Attachment Theory are identified. The clinical material is used to show how internal and external factors mutually influence each other to contribute to the baby's experience of himself in relation to his family. The therapist's countertransference is studied as a guide to understanding the nature of the primitive anxieties that have interfered with the baby's development.

Finding the key: containing and processing traumatic sexual abuse

Childhood sexual abuse is associated with a range of detrimental effects on interpersonaland intrapsychic functioning and is a significant factor for some survivors in seeking psychotherapy,as they struggle to find ways of managing or overcoming the damaging impact of their experiences. Within this paper, I shall explore these dynamics through analysing part of the therapeutic journey of Penny, a young white woman, who presented for individual psychotherapy at the age of 17 following a childhood of intrafamilial sexual (and physical) abuse. All names and identifying factors have been changed for the purpose of confidentiality. The therapy took place weekly in a multi-disciplinary clinic setting within the UK and a two-year period of the work is considered in this paper. My discipline is Integrative Arts Psychotherapy this is an approach which draws on a range of arts modalities (visual, auditory and kinaesthetic) in order to maximize the possibilities for the client s expression, communication, growth and containment (IATE, 2004; also see, for example, Levine, 1997; McNiff, 1992). My theoretical base synthesizes object relations, attachment and gestalt perspectives with various arts approaches, as appropriate. As well as considering the impact and dynamics of sexual abuse more generally, this paper will explore the usefulness of metaphor and imagery (used by both client and therapist) in understanding, containing and processing the traumatic sequelae of abuse for this client who had some resistance to using the arts, alongside other therapeutic elements such as working with the relationship.

Selective dielectrophoretic manipulation of surface-immobilized DNAmolecules

The fabrication of nanoscale molecular devices is becoming increasinglyimportant and research into their fabrication has intensified over the last fewyears. In particular, the attachment of molecular objects onto varioussurfaces has attracted considerable attention. Here, we report a multistepsurface immobilization procedure, which allows the specific and controlledattachment of very long DNA molecules onto gold electrodes. Further,we report the effect of dielectrophoresis on these surface-bound DNAmolecules with respect to amplitude and frequency, and we show that selectedsurface-immobilized DNA molecules can be manipulated by dielectrophoresis.Finally, we investigated the use of dielectrophoresis in conjunction with themultistep surface immobilization of fluorescently labelled, surface-bound λ-DNAin a basic data-storage device.

Prevalence of transitional objects in young children in Tokyo and New York

AbstractThis study compared the prevalence of children's transitional object attachment in the two groups of young children in Tokyo and New York. The subjects (mothers of a child who was between two and four years of age) were 50 Caucasian women who resided in New York and 50 Japanese women who resided in Tokyo. Families of all subjects were within middle and upper socioeconomic status. There was a higher prevalence of transitional object attachment in American children (62%) than in Japanese children (38%). Japanese children more often slept in the same bed or same room with mothers than American children. The two groups did not differ regarding the hours of mother's availability. The results lend support to Gaddini and Gaddini's suggestion that children whose mothers are continuously available, especially at night, are not likely to develop attachment to transitional objects. The results from this survey research were discussed in terms of significance of transitional object attachment on child development. ©2003 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.

The Omnipotent Child Syndrome: The Role of Passionately Held Bad Fits in the Formation of Identity

This article explores the hidden somatic passions that get laid down in the earliest bad fits (i.e., misattunements) and become the source of the highly resistant narcissistic behaviors that support and concretize one’s identity. The omnipotent child syndrome is used to define these passionate, somatic, psychic attachments. The “Omnipotent Child,” as I call it, is that part of the internal psychic structure that is the final common pathway of all the passionately held bad fits that characterize not only the person’s object ties and attachments, but also his or her most powerful internal psychic identity. The importance of the exploration and elucidation of preverbal experiences in the group are crucial to the unfolding of these unhealthy attachments. Recent infant research, coupled with neurobiological advances, supports the idea of the formation for these attachments. The author explores the theoretical underpinnings of this syndrome through case examples of the omnipotent child in the group process.

Transitional Relating and the Capacity for Play in Treatment

Based on an understanding of Winnicott's (1953/1975) notion of transitional relatedness and transitional phenomena as representing the use of play, illusion, and soothing capacities, I created a novel transitional object early memory probe that elicits a qualitative experience of current capacities for transitional relatedness. Working from a set of assumptions first articulated by Mayman (1968), early childhood memories are considered psychological reconstructions organized around unconscious object relations that are projected into the structure and content of early memories. It has been possible to assess patients' current capacities for transitional relatedness through the guise of past transitional object attachments. Two empirical studies (Fowler, Hilsenroth, & Handler, 1995, 1998) have demonstrated that greater levels of creative play and fantasy involved in the patient's memory productions are associated with the patient's greater capacity for transitional relatedness as evidenced by greater use of metaphor and use of the therapist as a soothing illusion. Thus, early memories are linked to self and other object relations structures, as well as to their expression in relationships--the prototypic transference relationships. This thesis, supported by empirical findings, is precisely what makes early memories so rich and revealing of patients' character structure, core conflicts, and potential transference enactments. Two clinical examples provided evidence for their use in complex treatments with adults.