Unresolved loss/trauma in the context of the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) has been theorised to result from dissociative processing of fear-related memories and ideas. To examine the plausibility of this model, this study tested hypothesised associations between unresolved loss/trauma and indicators of autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity. First-time pregnant women (N = 235) participated in the AAI while heart rate (interbeat interval; IBI) and indicators of parasympathetic reactivity (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) and sympathetic reactivity (pre-ejection period; PEP, skin conductance level; SCL) were recorded. Using multilevel modelling, ANS reactivity was examined in relation to topic (loss/trauma versus other questions); discussion of actual loss/trauma; classification of unresolved/disorganised; and unresolved responses during the interview. Responses to loss/trauma questions and discussion of loss were associated with respectively larger and smaller IBIs. There was no moderation by unresolved/disorganised status. Unresolved responses about loss were associated with smaller IBIs. Participants classified as unresolved/disorganised showed decreasing PEP and blunted SCL throughout the whole interview. The findings suggest that unresolved speech about loss co-occurs with physiological arousal, although the inconclusive findings regarding parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system responses fail to clearly support the role of fear.
Published: 2022-02
Psychophysiological responses underlying unresolved loss and trauma in the Adult Attachment Interview
Lianne Bakkum, Mirjam Oosterman, Marije L. Verhage, Florentina C. Kunseler, R. M. Pasco Fearon, Carlo Schuengel, Robbie Duschinsky
adult attachment, autonomic nervous system reactivity, childhood abuse, loss, trauma recall
- Item Type: journalArticle
- Publication Title: Development and Psychopathology
- Volume: 34
- Pages: 197-212
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- DOI: /10.1017/S0954579420001492
- ISSN: 0954-5794, 1469-2198
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- Library Catalog: Cambridge University Press