INTERVENTION IN TRANSMISSION OF INSECURE ATTACHMENT - A CASE-STUDY

Several attachment-based intervention studies have been performed, wit h varying success. An important question is whether short-term interve ntions can be successful in promoting parental sensitivity and securit y of infant-parent attachment as well as in changing parental represen tations of attachment. We investigated this issue in an exploratory wa y in a case study. A short-term home-based intervention with written m aterial and video feedback, which was effective regarding parental sen sitivity and infant security in a former study, was provided a parent who revealed an insecure attachment representation in the Adult Attach ment Interview. The intervention sessions mere expanded with discussio ns about past and present experiences of attachment. After four interv ention sessions the mother's behavior towards her child was rated as m ore sensitive than before the intervention. Also, the infant-mother at tachment, as observed in the Strange Situation, appeared to be more se cure. Nevertheless, in a second Adult Attachment interview administere d after the intervention, the mother showed again an insecure represen tation of attachment. Possible implications of these results are discu ssed.