Course Outline: Understanding Adult Attachment Styles in Romantic Relationships

Course Duration: 3 hours
Target Audience: Mental health professionals, relationship counselors, educators

Course Objectives

  • Understand adult attachment styles and their origins

  • Explore how different attachment styles interact in romantic relationships

  • Identify common pitfalls associated with attachment styles

  • Discuss special considerations for diverse populations

  • Learn practical strategies for fostering positive changes in attachment dynamics

Course Agenda

I. Introduction to Attachment Theory (30 minutes)

  1. Definition of Attachment Theory

    • Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and Loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. Basic Books.

    • Ainsworth, M. D. S. (1978). Patterns of Attachment: A Psychological Study of the Strange Situation. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

  2. Overview of Adult Attachment Styles

    • Secure, Anxious, Avoidant, and Disorganized (Main & Solomon, 1990)

  3. Impact of Early Relationships

    • Early experiences and their influence on adult attachment (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2019)

II. Interaction of Attachment Styles in Romantic Relationships (45 minutes)

  1. How Attachment Styles Influence Relationship Dynamics

    • Patterns of engagement and conflict (Hazan & Shaver, 1987)

  2. Role of Attachment Styles in Attachment Security

    • Working models of self and others (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991)

  3. Case Studies and Discussions

    • Real-life examples showcasing interactions between different attachment styles

III. Common Pitfalls Associated with Attachment Styles (30 minutes)

  1. Miscommunication and Misunderstanding

    • Attachment style-driven conflicts (Fornara et al., 2021)

  2. Emotional Dysregulation

    • Impact of insecure attachments on emotional responses (Butler et al., 2008)

  3. Strategies to Recognize and Avoid Pitfalls

    • Identifying red flags in relationships

IV. Areas for Special Consideration (30 minutes)

  1. Cultural Influences on Attachment Styles

    • Cross-cultural variations (Keller, 2018)

  2. The Impact of Trauma and Past Experiences

    • ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and their legacy (Felitti et al., 1998)

  3. Considerations for LGBTQ+ Relationships

    • Unique challenges and dynamics in diverse relationships (Wong et al., 2011)

V. Strategies for Making Positive Changes (45 minutes)

  1. Enhancing Self-Awareness

    • Techniques for identifying one's own attachment style (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2020)

  2. Building Secure Attachment in Relationships

    • Insights from Emotionally Focused Therapy (Johnson, 2004)

  3. Practical Exercises and Role Plays

    • Skills for improving communication and connection in partnerships

VI. Conclusion and Q&A (30 minutes)

  1. Summary of Key Points

  2. Open Floor for Questions

  3. Resources for Continued Learning

References

  • Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment Styles Among Young Adults: A Test of a Four-Category Model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226-244.

  • Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and Loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. Basic Books.

  • Butcher, J. N., et al. (2008). The Role of Attachment in Adult Romantic Relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

  • Felitti, V. J., et al. (1998). Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245-258.

  • Fornara, F., et al. (2021). The Role of Adult Attachment in Interpersonal Relationships: A Systematic Review. Personal Relationships.

  • Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic Love Conceptualized as an Attachment Process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(3), 511-524.

  • Johnson, S. M. (2004). Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love. Little, Brown and Company.

  • Keller, H. (2018). Cultural Practices as Adaptive Responses to Cultural Contexts: Implications for the Study of Attachment. Developmental Psychology, 54(8), 1481-1495.

  • Main, M., & Solomon, J. (1990). Procedures for Identifying Infants as Disorganized During the Strange Situation. In M. T. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & E. M. Cummings (Eds.), Attachment in the Preschool Years: Theory, Research, and Intervention. University of Chicago Press.

  • Mikulincer,