Abstract

This research paper explores a selection of theories describing the creation of normal and pathological bonds, or attachments. It also illustrates how pathological attachment problems in young children might appear in their behaviours, be expressed through the art materials and art process, and be helped through the treatment of art therapy. In the first three chapters, the work of three theorists, John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth, and Margaret Mahler, are presented for psychological discussion upon the issues of attachment. Chapter IV presents a case study in art therapy of a young boy with an insecure attachment to his primary caregiver. During the course of treatment, he was able to express his attachment issues clearly through the art materials and art process, and through his relationship with me, the student art therapist. Chapter V interprets the art therapy case in more depth, discusses the boy's expression of attachment issues in terms of the psychological theories of Bowlby, Ainsworth, and Mahler (Chapters I, II, and III), and follows with a final conclusion of this paper.