the mental processes exhibited by parents or primary caregivers who are able to discuss coherently their thoughts, feelings, and memories about their own childhood attachment experiences. Such individuals are said to demonstrate an autonomous or secure sense of attachment, characterized by an understanding of the importance of nurturance. In contrast, parents or primary caregivers who are not coherent in discussing their childhood experiences are said to have insecure, “nonautonomous” states of mind, characterized by dismissive or conflicted feelings about attachments. Studies indicate that those with autonomous states of mind are likely to raise children who are securely attached themselves (e.g., who seek a mother’s comfort when upset or hurt), whereas those with nonautonomous states are likely to raise children who are also insecurely attached (e.g., who do not seek a mother’s comfort when distressed). This construct is one of the
components of the attachment and biobehavioral catch-up intervention. See also insecure attachment; secure attachment. [described by U.S. psychologist Mary Dozier (1954– )]