Représentations d'attachement de soi et de l'autre, style d'attachement parental et troubles de stress post-traumatique chez un jeune enfant

Abstract

Previous research has highlighted the links between attachment and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In particular, it shows that an insecure or disorganised attachment style is associated with the development of PTSD. However, the contribution of representations of the self and the other in relation to the attachment style associated with PTSD remains largely unexplored. In order to explore this contribution, a clinical case study of a child with experience of terrorist attacks was carried out using interviews and clinical observations supported by drawing and the Attachment Histories protocol of Bretherton et al (1990). The results show that negative Internal Operating Models (IOMs) of self and other are associated with an anxious-avoidant attachment style in this child with PTSD. The child studied believes that he is not worthy of being loved and that the other person is also not worthy of trust.