Objective: This multiple-case study explores the self-protective attachment strategies of adults with ADHD and the history of the dangers in their family of origin. Method: Nine respondents were interviewed using the Adult Attachment Interview, AAI (The Dynamic Maturational Model modification). Results: All respondents had experienced dangers connected to the lack of protection and comfort in their families of origin, including unresolved traumas, such as early emotional neglect, later supervision neglect, abuse and witnessing discord, even domestic violence, in triangulated family relationships. Three subgroups were formed on the basis of the attachment classifications. Conclusions: The recognition of the variety of attachment strategies, disorientation modifying, and unresolved traumas interrupting the strategic self-protective functioning, can contribute to the tailoring of individualized psychological treatment. The psychological treatment would help these adults with ADHD to understand how the unresolved traumas and triangulated family systems have impacted and still impact them.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)123-131
Number of pages9
JournalClinical Neuropsychiatry
Volume15
Issue number2
StatePublished - Apr 2018

    Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

    Research areas

  • Abuse, ADHD, Adult attachment interview, Attachment strategies, Domestic violence, Emotional neglect, Later supervision neglect, Strategic self-protective functioning, Unresolved traumas, Witnessing discord

ID: 39362095