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Publication Date

2022-5

First Advisor

Peggy O'Neill

Second Advisor

Kathryn Basham

Third Advisor

John Hull

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

military veterans, PTSD, attachment, Vet Center, military trauma

Abstract

The study investigated the overlap and differences between posttraumatic stress injuries and attachment injuries in military veteran populations. Because most military treatment settings focus on posttraumatic stress as a signature disorder of their clientele, psychometric instruments for assessment and modalities for treatment are often organized around this issue. While there is ample empirical research linking trauma as a common feature of this population, there is increasing evidence pointing to attachment theory and attachment injuries as also having high degrees of applicability and relevance to clinical presenting issues of military veterans. This retrospective mixed methods study (Creswell & Clarke, 2011) examined secondary data from structured interviews for posttraumatic stress for evidence of communication of attachment injury and the clinical consequences of insecure attachment orientation as a presenting problem among military veterans in a psychological trauma treatment center. The results supported the hypothesis of the study that both type and severity of insecure attachment orientation were associated with more severe psychometric scores for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and that certain psychometric instrument item questions regarding trauma symptoms (or trauma symptom clusters) elicited responses which demonstrate a characteristically anxious-preoccupied style of attachment, a characteristically avoidant-dismissive style of attachment, or an unresolved/disorganized style of attachment. Conversely, results of the study also demonstrated that a secure attachment orientation served a protective function against more severe psychometric scores for PTSD. The results also supported an association between certain types of index trauma and greater injuries to secure attachment. Finally, independent demographic variables (combat-era of participant, race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, and gender) were investigated for statistically significant effects upon severity of posttraumatic stress scores and upon insecure attachment presentations. Results of the study have implications for social work practice, education, and future research.

Rights

©2022 John Bucholtz. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

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