Rupture and repair are key ingredients to connection. When ruptures in relationships occur, which they will, it is important to revisit the situation to work on restoring safety, regulation, attunement, and understanding. Through engaging in this process and providing consistent secure base and safe haven supports, conflicts have the opportunity to heal. Developmentally, the practice of rupture and repair begins during infancy and early childhood, laying the foundation for secure attachment. What happens when ruptures repeatedly occur without repair? How does this impact self-esteem and the narratives children create about themselves as they grow? As you can imagine, repeated rupture without repair can lead to mistrust, cognitive distortions, resentment, and emotional stunting. As child and adolescent psychiatrists, we can help families understand that relationships, like people, can bend without breaking-and that a healthy serving of humble pie can be just what the doctor ordered.
Published by Elsevier Inc.