Attachment Relationship Experiences and Childhood Psychopathology

Zeanah, Charles H.; Keyes, Angela W.; Settles, Lisa D.

doi:10.1196/annals.1301.003

Cited by 53 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…At 5 years old, 71% of children showing hostile or aggressive behaviors, as rated by their teacher, were classified as having a disorganized attachment (Lyons-Ruth, Alpern, & Repacholi, 1993). Moreover, disorganized attachment is also associated with subsequent psychopathology (Zeanah, Keyes, & Settles, 2003). Thus, in a prospective longitudinal study, disorganized attachment was associated with behavioral problems at preschool, elementary school and high school as well as a higher level of psychopathology at 17 years old (Carlson, 1998).…”

Section: Disorganized Attachment Sleep and Developmentmentioning

confidence: 96%

Establishment and consolidation of the sleep-wake cycle as a function of attachment pattern

Pennestri

Moss²,

OʼDonnell

et al. 2014

Attachment & Human Development

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The development of sleep-wake regulation in infants depends upon brain maturation as well as various environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate sleep duration and quality as a function of child attachment to the mother. One hundred and thirty-four mother-child dyads enrolled in the Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment (MAVAN) project were included in this study. Attachment was assessed with the Strange Situation procedure at 36 months and maternal sleep reports were collected at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. Differences in sleep characteristics were assessed with mixed models with one factor (attachment group) and one repeated measure (age). Children classified as disorganized had a significantly lower duration of nocturnal sleep, went to bed later, signaled more awakenings, had shorter periods of uninterrupted sleep (only at 12 months) and had shorter periods of time in bed (only at 6 months) than children classified as secure and/or ambivalent (p < 0.05). This is the first study to show that children with insecure disorganized attachment present a distinct sleep pattern in comparison with those with secure or ambivalent attachment between 6 and 36 months of age. Sleep disturbances could exacerbate difficulties in these families that are already considered vulnerable.

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Section: Disorganized Attachment Sleep and Developmentmentioning

confidence: 96%

Establishment and consolidation of the sleep-wake cycle as a function of attachment pattern

Pennestri

Moss²,

OʼDonnell

et al. 2014

Attachment & Human Development

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“…[3][4][5] Attachment disorders and other mental health problems are associated with childhood adversities such as maltreatment, early parental loss, family disruptions, foster care placement, maltreatment while in foster care, and cumulative childhood adversities that are not ameliorated. 2,[6][7][8] The largest group of children entering the foster care system and the most developmentally vulnerable are infants and young children. 9,10 The risk of psychopathology for many children entering foster care is often compounded with a subsequent cascade of adversities associated with this social setting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,2 Consequently, one of the most traumatic experiences that can occur, especially for children, is the loss of a parent. [3][4][5] Attachment disorders and other mental health problems are associated with childhood adversities such as maltreatment, early parental loss, family disruptions, foster care placement, maltreatment while in foster care, and cumulative childhood adversities that are not ameliorated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychosocial Well-Being of Women Who Were in Foster Care as Children

Bruskas¹,

Tessin²

2013

TPJ

113

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Background and Objective: Research has shown that many children in foster care later have psychosocial problems as adults; this is often attributed to cumulative adversities and a lack of supportive caregivers. The risk factors associated with foster care, such as maternal separation and multiple placements, often counteract many protective factors that can ameliorate the effects of childhood adversities. This study assessed the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and psychosocial well-being in women who were in foster care as children.Methods: A total of 101 women aged 18-71 years (mean, 36.83 [12.95] years) completed an anonymous online survey based on the 10-item ACE Questionnaire, the Sense of Coherence questionnaire, and the General Health Questionnaire.Results: More than 56% of respondents were identified as experiencing current psychological distress. Sense of coherence scores (mean, 54.26 [15.35]) showed a significant inverse association with both General Health Questionnaire (mean, 14.83 [5.88]) and ACE (mean, 5.68 [2.90]) scores (r = -0.64 and -0.31, respectively) and 97% reported at least 1 ACE, 70% reported ≥ 5 and 33% reported ≥ 8. Linear regressions indicated that ACEs reported to occur before foster care were associated with lower levels of sense of coherence (8%) and higher levels of psychological distress (6%). Physical neglect and living in a dysfunctional household (parental loss, maternal abuse, or household member associated with substance abuse or prison) significantly decreased during foster care by 16 and 19 percentage points, respectively. Rates of emotional and physical abuse did not change.Conclusion: The number of ACEs was associated with the level of psychological distress. Our findings suggest that children entering the foster care system are already vulnerable and at risk of experiencing ACEs during foster care and psychological distress during adulthood. Measures implemented to protect children must not cause more harm than good. Social services that preserve and strengthen the family unit and reduce the number of ACEs both before and during foster care are recommended. Social workers and clinicians who are trained to address and manage the unique developmental needs of children in foster care may help reduce the effects of ACEs and optimize developmental health.

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“…Relevant findings indicate that IABD is associated, within the institutional setting, with poorer quality care (Gleason et al, 2011;Smyke et al, 2002;Zeanah, Keyes, & Settles, 2003;Zeanah et al, 2005), but is less likely when the child is a favorite of one of the caregivers (Smyke et al, 2002). Given these results, it is not surprising that a child's preference for a particular caregiver is a critical protective factor with respect to the risk of attachment disorders (Soares et al, 2014;Zeanah & Gleason, 2015;Zeanah et al, 2005).…”

Section: Quality Of Care and Iadbmentioning

confidence: 97%

Inhibited attachment disordered behavior in institutionalized preschool children: links with early and current relational experiences

Corval

Belsky

Baptista

et al. 2017

Attachment & Human Development

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Inhibited attachment disordered behavior (IADB) is characterized by difficulty in establishing an attachment relationship with a primary caregiver; is associated with persistent social and emotional problems; and is observed most frequently in contexts of pathological care such as institutional rearing. Here, we seek to enhance understanding of the conditions that give rise to IADB among institutionalized children by examining prior family experiences of neglect and deprivation and concurrent relational experiences at the institution. The sample is comprised of 146 children, between 36 and 78 months. IADB was assessed using a semistructured interview administered to the child's primary caregiver. Results revealed that both pre-institutionalization experiences (e.g. parental abandonment) and current relational ones (e.g. low quality of child-caregiver relationship) predicted IADB. Findings are discussed in light of the need to promote conditions which foster the establishment and maintenance of the child's selective attachment to a caregiving figure.ARTICLE HISTORY

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Attachment Relationship Experiences and Childhood Psychopathology

Cited by 53 publications

References 32 publications

Establishment and consolidation of the sleep-wake cycle as a function of attachment pattern

Establishment and consolidation of the sleep-wake cycle as a function of attachment pattern

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychosocial Well-Being of Women Who Were in Foster Care as Children

Inhibited attachment disordered behavior in institutionalized preschool children: links with early and current relational experiences

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