The negative aspect of trauma: a case study exploring the semiological overlap with fearful attachment and core CPTSD symptoms

Crystal Tomaszewski; Aziz Essadek; Héloïse Onumba-Bessonnet; Rose-Angélique Belot; Christophe Clesse

doi:10.1080/02668734.2025.2531774

The negative aspect of trauma: a case study exploring the semiological overlap with fearful attachment and core CPTSD symptoms

Crystal Tomaszewski
, Aziz Essadek
, Héloïse Onumba-Bessonnet
, Rose-Angélique Belot
, Christophe Clesse

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This study illustrates the complex relationships between the negative effects of trauma, attachment patterns, and the symptomatic expressions associated with trauma-related diagnoses (PTSD and CPTSD). The patient’s psychological processes were explored through a clinical semi-structured interview (Adult Attachment Interview) and self-administered questionnaires, including the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and the PTSD Checklist Scale (PCLS). Although the patient does not meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD or CPTSD, she exhibits signs related to the negative aspect of trauma as well as a fearful attachment pattern. The expression of the negative aspect of trauma shows some overlap with the fearful attachment pattern and certain core symptoms of CPTSD, while retaining distinct clinical features. This case study offers a detailed examination of how attachment and trauma-informed assessment can deepen our understanding of psychological trauma in a woman with migratory backgrounds who experienced sexual violence. Convergence between negative aspect of trauma, fearful attachment patterns, and core symptoms of CPTSD suggests not merely a correlation, but a deeper structural connection between attachment disturbances and complex trauma. Future research should investigate how integrating the negative aspects of trauma within attachment-informed and psychodynamic frameworks can enhance therapeutic engagement and outcomes in trauma-affected populations.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-21
Number of pages	21
Journal	Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/02668734.2025.2531774
Publication status	Published - 13 Aug 2025

Access to Document

10.1080/02668734.2025.2531774

Cite this

@article{090be3414cb146bd99f9965b9635f453,

title = "The negative aspect of trauma: a case study exploring the semiological overlap with fearful attachment and core CPTSD symptoms",

abstract = "This study illustrates the complex relationships between the negative effects of trauma, attachment patterns, and the symptomatic expressions associated with trauma-related diagnoses (PTSD and CPTSD). The patient{\textquoteright}s psychological processes were explored through a clinical semi-structured interview (Adult Attachment Interview) and self-administered questionnaires, including the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and the PTSD Checklist Scale (PCLS). Although the patient does not meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD or CPTSD, she exhibits signs related to the negative aspect of trauma as well as a fearful attachment pattern. The expression of the negative aspect of trauma shows some overlap with the fearful attachment pattern and certain core symptoms of CPTSD, while retaining distinct clinical features. This case study offers a detailed examination of how attachment and trauma-informed assessment can deepen our understanding of psychological trauma in a woman with migratory backgrounds who experienced sexual violence. Convergence between negative aspect of trauma, fearful attachment patterns, and core symptoms of CPTSD suggests not merely a correlation, but a deeper structural connection between attachment disturbances and complex trauma. Future research should investigate how integrating the negative aspects of trauma within attachment-informed and psychodynamic frameworks can enhance therapeutic engagement and outcomes in trauma-affected populations.",

author = "Crystal Tomaszewski and Aziz Essadek and H{\'e}lo{\"i}se Onumba-Bessonnet and Rose-Ang{\'e}lique Belot and Christophe Clesse",

year = "2025",

month = aug,

day = "13",

doi = "10.1080/02668734.2025.2531774",

language = "English",

pages = "1--21",

journal = "Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy",

issn = "0266-8734",

publisher = "Routledge: Taylor \& Francis Group",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - The negative aspect of trauma: a case study exploring the semiological overlap with fearful attachment and core CPTSD symptoms

AU - Tomaszewski, Crystal

AU - Essadek, Aziz

AU - Onumba-Bessonnet, Héloïse

AU - Belot, Rose-Angélique

AU - Clesse, Christophe

PY - 2025/8/13

Y1 - 2025/8/13

N2 - This study illustrates the complex relationships between the negative effects of trauma, attachment patterns, and the symptomatic expressions associated with trauma-related diagnoses (PTSD and CPTSD). The patient’s psychological processes were explored through a clinical semi-structured interview (Adult Attachment Interview) and self-administered questionnaires, including the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and the PTSD Checklist Scale (PCLS). Although the patient does not meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD or CPTSD, she exhibits signs related to the negative aspect of trauma as well as a fearful attachment pattern. The expression of the negative aspect of trauma shows some overlap with the fearful attachment pattern and certain core symptoms of CPTSD, while retaining distinct clinical features. This case study offers a detailed examination of how attachment and trauma-informed assessment can deepen our understanding of psychological trauma in a woman with migratory backgrounds who experienced sexual violence. Convergence between negative aspect of trauma, fearful attachment patterns, and core symptoms of CPTSD suggests not merely a correlation, but a deeper structural connection between attachment disturbances and complex trauma. Future research should investigate how integrating the negative aspects of trauma within attachment-informed and psychodynamic frameworks can enhance therapeutic engagement and outcomes in trauma-affected populations.

AB - This study illustrates the complex relationships between the negative effects of trauma, attachment patterns, and the symptomatic expressions associated with trauma-related diagnoses (PTSD and CPTSD). The patient’s psychological processes were explored through a clinical semi-structured interview (Adult Attachment Interview) and self-administered questionnaires, including the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and the PTSD Checklist Scale (PCLS). Although the patient does not meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD or CPTSD, she exhibits signs related to the negative aspect of trauma as well as a fearful attachment pattern. The expression of the negative aspect of trauma shows some overlap with the fearful attachment pattern and certain core symptoms of CPTSD, while retaining distinct clinical features. This case study offers a detailed examination of how attachment and trauma-informed assessment can deepen our understanding of psychological trauma in a woman with migratory backgrounds who experienced sexual violence. Convergence between negative aspect of trauma, fearful attachment patterns, and core symptoms of CPTSD suggests not merely a correlation, but a deeper structural connection between attachment disturbances and complex trauma. Future research should investigate how integrating the negative aspects of trauma within attachment-informed and psychodynamic frameworks can enhance therapeutic engagement and outcomes in trauma-affected populations.

U2 - 10.1080/02668734.2025.2531774

DO - 10.1080/02668734.2025.2531774

M3 - Article

SN - 0266-8734

SP - 1

EP - 21

JO - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

JF - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

ER -