For centuries, exercise has been prescribed to improve mental health outcomes. Interestingly, mental health theories used in psychology—like those involving attachment styles—can be used to improve fitness outcomes, as well. One excellent example is attachment-informed coaching.
Attachment theory looks at how social-emotional relationships (attachments) in infancy can impact a person’s behavior later in life (Kennedy & Kennedy 2004). An understanding of attachment theory can provide you with an additional window into client motivation and challenges—and offer other strategies to encourage client success and retention. What’s more, your awareness and actions can help clients with less helpful attachment styles feel more secure and, in turn, positively impact their relationships now and for the rest of their lives.
An Overview of Attachment Theory
Attachment theory, one of the dominant theories in psychology, is an empirically supported developmental theory that has been studied in relationships across the spectrum, including parent-child, coach-athlete, doctor-client, manager-employee and beyond.
Attachment theory recognizes that humans are born with an innate psychobiological need to seek proximity to an attachment figure who can provide a safe haven and secure base of support in times of stress. The quality of the relationship in early childhood mediates an internal working model (IWM) that evolves and shapes relationship choices throughout life (Yip et al. 2018).
As people mature, their entire social-emotional model is interpreted through their unique IWM. This includes their beliefs about self-worth and expectations of self and others (Fein et al. 2020). That said, IWMs can flex throughout life, depending on the influence of specific attachment figures—including personal trainers, group exercise instructors and other types of fitness leaders.
See also: How to Develop Compassionate Coaching
Meet the Three Attachment Styles
According to the most frequently used model of attachment styles, there are three types: secure, insecure anxious and insecure avoidant.
People who have a secure attachment style are more likely to believe others are supportive and helpful. They have a positive view of themselves and others. They relate more positively to peers. They are more socially flexible and emotionally mature (Kennedy & Kennedy 2004). This could be the client who is great at relating to everyone in class, loves anything you challenge them with and makes friends easily.
An insecure-anxious attachment style is characterized by lower levels of emotional regulation, hypersensitivity to social-emotional cues and preoccupation with affirmation from others (Yip et al. 2018). This could be the client who is always seeking your approval, is overly self-conscious about how they look to others, and/or is constantly seeking attention. This person loves to be noticed and appreciated.
Insecure-avoidant attachment is characterized by defensiveness, striving to maintain emotional and behavioral independence from others, actively trying to handle stress alone, and distrust of people in leadership (Yip et al. 2018). This could be the class attendee who chooses a spot in the back of the room and avoids any feedback or conversation. Sometimes these people are perceived as being insensitive and cold toward the coach and other members of the class.
Scope of Practice for Fit Pros
It is not within the scope of practice of fitness professionals to diagnose attachment style, unless they also hold an appropriate degree or certification in mental health. However, according to Fein and colleagues, any person who meets the three criteria of having proximity and providing a safe haven and a secure base support can be an attachment figure.
The fitness professional fits well within those criteria: If you are meeting your client regularly, you have proximity. If you provide an effectual coaching relationship that offers comfort and support, you are a safe haven. If you are also encouraging autonomy and exploration, you are a secure base support. As such, developing an awareness of attachment theory can help you understand your impact on individuals in your classes and sessions.
See also: Group Fitness and the Stages of Behavior Change
Using Attachment Styles in Coaching
Knowing how each attachment style “presents” can help fitness professionals develop strategies that promote positive relationships with clients and reduce their chances of quitting. Here are some examples of how individuals in a group setting can respond very differently—and what you can do to help everyone feel safe and supported in these situations. The chart below also offers a summary of each style’s characteristics, how they behave under stress and what you can do to improve outcomes based on their beliefs and behaviors.
Partner Activities
Thinking of including partner activities to encourage bonding in a small group? People with secure or insecure-anxious attachment orientation will probably thrive, especially if you’re part of their group! However, you just might lose people with insecure-avoidant attachment because their IWM tells them that proximity-seeking is dangerous (Kennedy & Kennedy 2004). For them, reduced stress would be created by providing judgment-free support and autonomy to enjoy their own space at their own pace.
Group Challenges
Let’s say one high-energy, likeable member in the group tends to offer friendly challenges among the group. Your secure or insecure-anxious clients would use these challenges to become better. Your insecure-avoidant clients just might feel demotivated instead. Allowing those clients to disagree with the group norm—without feeling shame, disapproval or fear of abandonment—is a way of providing a climate of enrichment and exploration for them. It also shows you can be trusted. Your client’s ability to trust you needs to be your primary consideration, particularly for insecure-avoidant individuals (Fein et al. 2020).
Individual Reinforcement
Are there clients who always seem to be suffering from one injury or another? Maybe they constantly ask for input and frequently text you about a possible re-injury. This is insecure-anxious behavior, which includes a preoccupation with outside affirmation and a low view of themselves (Yip et al. 2018). You can help these people feel safer by providing boundaries and step-by-step instructions. Your support would also include coaching “change talk” that encourages them to recall the ways they’ve been successful in the past. Constant reinforcement of their abilities would also be effective.
On the other hand, for people with insecure-avoidant orientation, a consistent reinforcing of abilities will often make them feel worse (Black 2019). They might feel your compliments are undeserved or that you’re trying to dupe them into believing they’re worthy of your attention. For them, your focus would be to help the client identify and defuse cognitive distortions, which can also involve coaching change talk (Muth et al. 2014).
See also: Use the Psychology of Motivation to Stop Quitting
The Link Between Attachment Styles and (Not) Quitting
We are not psychotherapists, but we can be trusted leaders meeting the three criteria for an attachment figure: proximity, a safe haven and a secure base. By remembering that your leadership style could contribute to your clients’ evolution to a more secure attachment style and understanding your impact, you will be able to develop strategies that will help clients quit quitting and keep moving for improved physical and mental health.
The post Coaching Clients Based on Attachment Styles appeared first on IDEA Health & Fitness Association.