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Using Cognitive Therapies to Treat Unstable Attachment Patterns in Adults With Childhood Histories of Social Rejection

NCJ Number
229839
Journal
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: January-February 2010 Pages: 105-134
Author(s)
Dominic J. Carbone
Date Published
February 2010
Length
30 pages
Annotation
The treatment of a clinical sample of five adults exhibiting unstable attachment patterns, attributed to their repeated experiences with childhood social rejection from their family of origin and peer network is described.
Abstract
This article describes the treatment of five adults exhibiting unstable attachment patterns, attributed to their repeated experiences with childhood social rejection from their family and peers. A child's attachment to his or her caregiver often determines the quality of his or her peer relationships, which serve to develop the child's self-beliefs and his or her social environment. This social cognition has been shown to influence one's choice of friends and intimate relationships. Satisfying social affiliations are a key component to achieving positive physical and mental health outcomes throughout life. In the cases described in this article, treatment was focused on changing social cognition to a more functional template from which the person could transact satisfying intimate social relationships, thereby yielding more positive outcomes. References (Published Abstract)