Attachment, Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health: Research, Assessment and Intervention

Schuengel, Carlo; Schipper, J. Clasien de; Sterkenburg, P.S.; Kef, S.

doi:10.1111/jar.12010

Cited by 65 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…An important set of "positive" findings in this study was that a large majority (>80%) of children with mothers with ID had a primary organized attachment representation, a substantial minority (35%) had a secure (including prototypically secure, "B3") representation, and their mean on the continuous security variable was in the normative range, though with substantial variation. These findings resonate with the literature on attachment among individuals with ID (Schuengel et al, 2013). Also, these findings lead us to question any automaticity that could be assumed for maternal ID as a risk factor per se for children's attachment (cf.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…However, some studies have examined attachment representations among individuals with ID (see Schuengel & Janssen, 2006;Schuengel, de Schipper, Sterkenburg, & Kef, 2013). Although the proportion of secure attachment is typically lower and that of disorganized attachment higher in this group than in the general population, a substantial proportion of ID individuals, especially those who have encountered sensitive caregiving, do develop secure attachment representations (Schuengel et al, 2013), which should theoretically be transmitted also to their offspring.…”

Section: Methodological Problems and Missing Piecesmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Mothers with intellectual disability, their experiences of maltreatment, and their children’s attachment representations: a small-group matched comparison study

Granqvist

Forslund

Fransson

et al. 2014

Attachment & Human Development

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Maternal intellectual disability (ID) is regarded a risk factor in child development, but there is no scientific evidence on maternal ID in relation to children's attachment. Using a matched comparison design, a small group (n = 23) of mothers diagnosed with ID was studied to help fill this gap. Besides maternal ID, we examined the role of abuse/trauma/maltreatment (ATM) in the mothers' biographies, along with potential confounds. Comparison group mothers (n = 25) had normal variations in intelligence and matched mothers with ID on residential area, income, child age, and sex. History of maternal ATM was assessed using a semi-structured interview and was found to be significantly more likely in the ID group mothers' experience than the comparison group mothers. Children's (M age = 77 months) attachment representations were assessed with the Separation Anxiety Test. Among children of mothers with ID, a substantial minority (35%) had a secure and the vast majority (>80%) an organized attachment representation. Mothers with ID who had suffered elevated ATM were significantly more likely to have children who were scored high on disorganization and insecurity. We discuss possible implications of our findings for societal considerations regarding parenting and child attachment in the context of parental ID status.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Methodological Problems and Missing Piecesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Mothers with intellectual disability, their experiences of maltreatment, and their children’s attachment representations: a small-group matched comparison study

Granqvist

Forslund

Fransson

et al. 2014

Attachment & Human Development

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There is a body of work in the LD field, which supports the use of relationship building that supports regulation of difficult emotions (Schuengel et al, 2013). Certainly, these approaches are making some way to guiding strong evidence-based interventions in this area.…”

Section: Insecure Attachment Relationships As a Risk Factor For Complmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Focusing more widely on the issues of research, assessment and intervention, Schuengel et al (2013) explore the potential of attachment-based perspectives (Bowlby, 1984) in understanding mental health. The authors emphasise the importance of assessing the attachment bond in determining the experience of separation distress.…”

Section: Attachment and People With Learning Disabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptualising bereavement in profound and multiple learning disabilities

Young

2016

TLDR

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Running head: CONCEPTUALISING LOSS IN PMLD 2 AbstractPurpose Bereavement and loss are key factors in poor emotional wellbeing among people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. However, little attention has been drawn to this in the grief and disability literature. This paper aimed to make sense of bereavement and loss in this group, with reference to theoretical contributions to the field and studies of grief reactions.Design/Methodology/Approach A systematic review revealed thirty-four relevant published works.These were analysed for relevant contributions, and then subjected to peer-review.

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“…More specifically, this discourse has neglected central issues of attachment and stress, and is insufficient in accounting for the apparent range and complexity of responses to separation among this group (for a review, see Young, 2016a). Second, the majority of interventionist research conducted with theoretical direction from attachment and stress regulation has concentrated mainly on levels up to severe LD (see Schuengel et al, 2013 for a review). These studies demonstrate plasticity of socialaffective behavioural systems in this group, and in those with early attachment disruptions.…”

Section: Attachment and Learning Disabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loss and profound intellectual disabilities: the significance of early separation responses

Young

2016

AMHID

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Purpose Intellectual disabilities (ID) may complicate the experience of bereavement and loss, in those with communicative impairments compounded by complex healthcare needs and sensori-motor limitations. Whilst theorists have argued that the cognitive difficulties of people with profound ID impede mourning reactions, none have attempted to make sense of the responses they do exhibit. The current paper discusses this. Design/methodology/approach A select review considers the neurobiology underlying attachment bonds, complications in attachment formation and affect regulation in people with ID, and separation responses of people with profound ID. Findings The current paper demonstrates that by recognising the affective nature of separation distress, an understanding beyond a cognitive conceptualisation is possible. Research limitations/implications It is worth questioning whether people with profound ID are incapable of any meaningful form of person permanence. A critical review could deal with this comparatively by drawing on research of person and object permanence in typically developing children. Practical implications Of specific interest, the bio-behavioural regulators of relationships may help us to appreciate the importance of routine physical health and social care for emotional wellbeing in this group. Originality/value It is argued that by appreciating the basic emotional and regulatory functions of relationships, we can achieve a greater insight into the loss experiences of people with profound ID that will offer therapeutic direction.

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Attachment, Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health: Research, Assessment and Intervention

Cited by 65 publications

References 54 publications

Mothers with intellectual disability, their experiences of maltreatment, and their children’s attachment representations: a small-group matched comparison study

Mothers with intellectual disability, their experiences of maltreatment, and their children’s attachment representations: a small-group matched comparison study

Conceptualising bereavement in profound and multiple learning disabilities

Loss and profound intellectual disabilities: the significance of early separation responses

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