Initial Spark of Hope: A Case for Attachment Tune-Ups First

Abstract

Using a clinical sample of couples, this study considers the association between couples attachment levels, stability of their relationship, and severity of their presenting problems at first session. Attachment levels were established using the Brief Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Engagement (BARE) Scale. Participants were divided into tertiles by BARE score. Findings showed that at the beginning of therapy, there is a significant difference between the top and bottom BARE tertiles for 9 of the 10 presenting problems as well as for relationship stability. The authors suggest that marriage and family therapists first work to build attachment to hopefully decrease drop out, bring stability to clinical couple’s relationships, and to indirectly reduce concerns or severity regarding presenting problems.

Keywords:

• Attachment
• early interventions
• presenting problems

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ragan A. Lybbert

Ragan Lybbert is a PhD student at Brigham Young University in the Marriage and Family Therapy department, Jonathan Sandberg is a professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy department at Brigham Young University.