Social Science - Sociology assignment 4

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Attachment Theory Application

SCOW- 6060

Dr. Johnson

09/15/2025

Case Write-Up: Attachment Theory Application

Attachment theory holds that human beings are born with the ability to form close emotional bonds with caregivers, and that the quality of these early attachments shapes patterns of trust, security, and relational functioning across the life span. Secure attachment leads to resilience and effective coping, while insecure attachment may increase stress vulnerability and relational disturbances.

In the chosen case study, the emergent problem is the client's emotional regulation and trust in relationships issues, which lead to loneliness and elevated stress levels. According to the attachment theory perspective, the causative factor is the interference or absence of secure attachment relationships, which is the reason behind the distress of the client. Attachment theory would place the aetiology in early relationship experience where the client's affect needs have not been consistently met, and hence insecure attachment patterns have been formed which are being re-lived in adulthood.

To assess the client, two questions guided by attachment theory would be:

1. “When you are feeling overwhelmed, who do you turn to for comfort and how do they respond?”

2. “How did your earliest caregivers respond to your needs for comfort, protection, or reassurance, and how does that experience affect how you relate to others now?”

Two attachment theory-based interventions are: (1) the creation of a therapeutic relationship that is reflective of a secure base, where the client is able to sense reliability, empathy, and acceptance, and (2) helping the client become aware and reframe negative internal working models of self and other in order to develop more secure modes of relating.

One of the things that I would ask myself reflexively is: "How might my own attachment history or emotional response be shaping the way that I am perceiving and responding to this client's distress?" Asking this question enables greater levels of empathy and reflexivity, consistent with Foley, Nash, and Munford's recommendation to utilize attachment as a reflective tool (Bosmans et al., 2022).

References

Bosmans, G., Van Vlierberghe, L., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., Kobak, R., Hermans, D., & van IJzendoorn, M. H. (2022). A learning theory approach to attachment theory: Exploring clinical applications. Clinical child and family psychology review, 25(3), 591-612. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10567-021-00377-x

This week, you will use role theory to apply to your chosen case study. In other words, your theoretical orientation—or lens—is role theory as you analyze the case study. Use the same case study you chose in Week 2. ( Remember: You will be using this same case study throughout the entire course.)

Use the Analysis of a Theory Worksheet to help you dissect the theory. You do not need to submit this handout. It is a tool for you to use to dissect the theory, and then you can employ the information in the table to complete your Assignment.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To Prepare

· Review and focus on the same case study that you used in Week 2. Case study document will be uploaded separately.

· Use the Analysis of a Theory Worksheet to help you dissect the theory. Use this tool to dissect the theory, employ the information in the table to complete your Assignment, and then keep it to add to your Theories Study Guide in Week 11.

· Review the websites and guides for developing PowerPoint skills found in the Learning Resources.

· Be sure to review the Kaltura Guide item in the Learning Resources.

· Use Personal Capture to record the PowerPoint slides on your screen and your audio as you present the information. You will then use Kaltura Media to upload this recording to the Assignment link.

By Day 7

Submit a PowerPoint presentation, the presentation should include 11–12 slides.

· Use bullet points when writing on each slide, meaning no long paragraphs of written text should be in the slides.

· Keep in mind that the recording takes the place of fully written paragraphs, while the bullet points provide context and cues for the audience to follow along.

· Be sure to review  the Kaltura Guide item in the Learning Resources.

Your presentation should address the following:

· Identify the presenting problem for the case study you selected. ( Remember: The presenting problem has to be framed from the perspective of role theory. For example, the presenting problem can be framed within the context of role functioning.)

· Identify all the relevant roles assumed by the client.

· Analyze the social expectations and social and cultural norms revolving around the role, social position, and role scripts of  one of the roles assumed by the client.

· Explain the role and social position of the social worker in working with the client in the case study.

· Describe how the role(s) and social position(s) assumed by the social worker will influence the relationship between the social worker and the client.

· Identify three assessment questions that are guided by role theory that you will ask the client to better understand the problem.

· Identify and describe two interventions that are aligned with the presenting problem and role theory.

· Identify one advantage and one limitation in using role theory in understanding the case.

Submit also, as a separate document, your Week 4 Analysis of a Theory Worksheet.

Be sure to:

· Identify and correctly reference the case study you have chosen.

· Use literature to support your claims.

· Use APA formatting and style.

· Include a Reference List on the last slide.

Analysis of Theory Worksheet

Use this worksheet to help you apply a theory as a lens to the case study for your assignments. Fill in the column on the right with all applicable information, and then consider it a reference for how to apply the theory. You must submit this worksheet, where indicated, in applicable assignments. Then you will compile the worksheet for your Theories Study Guide (that you can use for the licensure exam) at the end of the course.

Name of theory	Attachment Theory
Author or founder	John Bowlby; expanded by Mary Ainsworth
Historical origin of theory	Developed in the 1950s–1970s through Bowlby’s work on maternal deprivation and Ainsworth’s “Strange Situation” studies.
Basic assumptions	Humans are biologically predisposed to seek close bonds for safety and survival. Early caregiver responsiveness shapes attachment style.
Underlying assumptions	Secure attachment fosters resilience; insecure attachment contributes to distress, mistrust, and maladaptive coping in later life.
Key concepts	Attachment bonds, secure base, internal working models, proximity-seeking, secure vs. insecure attachment styles.
Foci/unit of analysis	Individual’s relational patterns and caregiver-child interactions.
Philosophical or conceptual framework	Psychodynamic and developmental framework emphasizing relationships as central to well-being.
Strengths of theory	Evidence-based, cross-cultural relevance, strong explanatory power for relational and emotional issues.
Limitations of theory	May overemphasize early experiences; less focus on broader sociocultural and systemic influences.
Common criticisms	Reductionist; risk of pathologizing non-traditional family structures.
When and with whom it would be appropriate to use the theory/model	Children, families, adults struggling with relational issues, trauma, or emotional regulation.
Consistency of theory/model with social work principles	Aligns with person-in-environment and strengths-based practice.
Identification of goodness of fit with ethical principles	Supports dignity, worth of the person, and the importance of human relationships.
Ways in which theory/model informs research methods	Used in longitudinal studies, observational methods, and attachment-based assessments.
Implications for social work practice	Guides interventions to strengthen relational bonds, promote secure attachments, and enhance reflective practice.

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