The Attachment Dynamic in Adult Life

Abstract

A case is presented for regarding the Attachment Dynamic as a theoretical model for hypotheses on the aetiology and management of neuroses and personality disorders. It is proposed that man has a number of natural propensities, including: (1) attaining “companionable interactions' with peers, in which competence is affirmed, self-esteem enhanced, and a state of well-being (”assuagement’) is promoted. (2) when hindered in the pursuit of interests and companionable interaction, an urge to seek support through proximity to, and often “supportive interaction’ with support-givers. (3) severe psychological distress (”disassuagement’) when support-givers cannot be induced to act effectively, with a propensity to devise defensive strategies, supplemented by psychological defence mechanisms; when maladaptive, these strategies are the source of neurotic symptoms and antisocial traits. Through these propensities, movement between companionable interaction and effective support sustains the urge to develop skills and explore interests creatively. However, this movement is hindered by the experience of repeated disassuagement and the need to maintain maladaptive defensive strategies.