Attachment security and internal working models of relationships during separation from parents and pain experience

Walsh, T. (2000). Attachment security and internal working models of relationships during separation from parents and pain experience. https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2773

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Details:

Title

Attachment security and internal working models of relationships during separation from parents and pain experience

Author
Walsh, Trudi
Call Number

LE3 .A278 2000

Date

2000

Supervisor

Symons, Doug

Degree Grantor

Acadia University

Degree Name

Master of Science

Degree Level

Masters

Discipline

Psychology

Affiliation

Psychology

Abstract

This study examined the continuity of working models of attachment relationships displayed during separation experience with those displayed during pain experience. A sample of 60, 4- and 5-year-old children were examined. The quality of attachment was assessed with the Separation Anxiety Test (SAT) and pain representations were assessed by examining responses to pictures of children about to experience pain in the presence of their parents. Participants also completed an emotional labelling task and a measure of receptive language. Parents completed a rating scale of observable pain behaviour, and children's preschool teachers completed a rating of child emotion regulation. SAT responses provided scores of attachment, self-reliance, and avoidance, and pain representations were scored in a similar fashion. Representations of separation and pain experience were systematically related. In addition, SAT responses were cluster analyzed to classify children into secure, insecure-anxious, and insecure-avoidant groups. Children's responses to painful pictures differed systematically according to their SAT security classification. There was also some concurrent support for the differential patterns in the parent reports of child behaviour, but these associations were not accounted for by either the child's ability to differentiate emotional states, language ability, or emotional regulation. These findings from the present study are consistent with Bowlby's concept of secure base behaviour and support the hypothetical construct of an internal working model of attachment which organizes children's behaviours, thoughts, and feelings in response to both separation experience and painful events.

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The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

Permanent Link

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2773

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