attachment patterns

This study aimed to explore the attachment patterns in children diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) by examining the experiences and perceptions of their primary caregivers. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 14 primary caregivers of children diagnosed with FASD. Participants were recruited from specialized clinics and support groups. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focusing on topics such as the nature of the child-caregiver relationship, caregiver perceptions of the child's attachment behaviors, challenges in the attachment relationship, and strategies used to support attachment. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically, with theoretical saturation achieved when no new themes emerged. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: the nature of the child-caregiver relationship, caregiver perceptions of the child's attachment behaviors, challenges in the attachment relationship, and strategies used by caregivers to support attachment. Caregivers emphasized the importance of emotional bonding, effective communication, physical closeness, and consistent caregiving in fostering secure attachment. They reported a range of attachment behaviors, including both secure and insecure patterns, influenced by the neurodevelopmental impairments associated with FASD. Key challenges included managing emotional outbursts, behavioral issues, and balancing caregiving roles. Caregivers employed various strategies such as therapeutic interventions, establishing routines, positive reinforcement, and emotional coaching to support attachment. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the attachment patterns in children with FASD, highlighting the critical role of responsive caregiving and the adaptive strategies used by caregivers. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and comprehensive support systems to enhance attachment and promote the developmental well-being of children with FASD. Further research is needed to explore the long-term impact of these attachment patterns and the effectiveness of specific interventions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy and emotion-focused therapy on attachment patterns, communication patterns, and lifestyle of incompatible couples who referred to counseling centers. Methods: This study is applied research in nature and quasi-experimental in execution, utilizing a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all couples with incompatible spouses who referred to counseling centers (Behesht Counseling Center) in Isfahan in 2022. From this population, 45 individuals were selected using convenience and purposive sampling and divided into three groups: two experimental groups (each with 15 participants) and one control group (15 participants). The first experimental group underwent Goodwin's positive psychotherapy (2018) in ten sessions, and the second experimental group underwent Johnson's emotion-focused therapy (2006) in eight sessions. The questionnaires used in this study were Hazan and Shaver's Attachment Questionnaire (1987), Christensen and Sullaway's Communication Patterns Questionnaire (1984), and Miller-Smith's Lifestyle Questionnaire (2003). Findings: Using covariance analysis, the results indicated that, after controlling for pre-test levels, there were significant differences between the experimental and control groups of incompatible couples in terms of attachment patterns (secure, avoidant-insecure, and ambivalent-insecure), communication patterns (constructive mutual), communication pattern (demand/withdraw), communication pattern (avoidant), and lifestyle. The effect size was 0.48 for emotion-focused therapy. Similarly, significant differences were observed for positive psychotherapy with an effect size of 0.41. There was a significant difference in the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy and emotion-focused therapy on attachment patterns (secure, avoidant-insecure, and ambivalent-insecure). Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that emotion-focused therapy has a greater impact on attachment patterns (secure, avoidant-insecure, and ambivalent-insecure) compared to positive psychotherapy. Significant differences were also observed in the impact on communication patterns (constructive mutual, demand/withdraw, and avoidant) and lifestyle, with emotion-focused therapy showing a greater effect.