Trauma and loss in the Adult Attachment Interview: Situating the unresolved state of mind classification in disciplinary and social context

This article examines how ‘trauma’ has been conceptualised in the unresolved state of mind classification Adult Attachment Interview, introduced by Main and Hesse 1990. The construct influential for three decades research developmental psychology. However, not much is known about this measure trauma was developed, it relates to other conceptualisations trauma. We draw on previously unavailable manuscripts from Hesse's personal archive, including various editions unpublished coding manuals, Main–Bowlby correspondence John Bowlby Archive at Wellcome Trust London. traces emergence classification, assumptions embedded construct. These are situated both immediate context work terms wider discourses period. Our analysis considers a particular form discourse entered into attachment research, doing so partly lost contact with disciplinary study