Beyond attachment theory and therapy: Towards sensitive and evidence‐based interventions with foster and adoptive families in distress

Abstract

Elements of attachment theory have been embraced by practitioners endeavouring to assist foster and adopted children and their parents. Attachment theory articulates the potential risks of experiencing multiple caregivers; emphasizes the importance of close social relationships to development; and recognizes that substitute parents may not always have close relationships with children who have experienced adversities before joining them. Attachment theory offers concerned parents what they believe to be a scientific explanation about their lack of the close, satisfying parent–child relationship they desire. Yet the scientific base of attachment theory is limited both in terms of its ability to predict future behaviours, and especially with regard to its use as the underpinning theory for therapeutic intervention with children experiencing conduct problems. There is a critical need to review the role of attachment theory in child and family services and to consider its place among other explanations for children's disturbing behaviour. An important step towards pursuing alternative approaches is for researchers and practitioners to understand the reasons the attachment paradigm appeals to so many adoptive and foster parents, given the apparent widespread prevalence of attachment‐based interventions. Such understanding might assist in the development of adoption‐sensitive uses of appropriate evidence‐based treatment approaches.

Mind-mindedness in parents of looked-after children.

“…Several researchers have highlighted how this emphasis is neither evidencebased nor helpful. For example, Barth, Crea, John, Thoburn, and Quinton (2005) called for child and family services to consider alternative perspectives on and explanations for problem behaviors, observing that "professionals who would convince parents that their children may have attachment impairments-and that these will vex their children and families forever-are not reading the caveats from developmental scholars" (p. 259).…”

Efectividad de las Intervenciones en Apego con Infancia Vulnerada y en Riesgo Social: Un Desafío Prioritario para Chile

“…Sin embargo, Barth et al (2005) han señalado que la asociación entre problemas de apego y psicopatología en edades posteriores de la vida no debe hacerse sin precaución. Según señalan estos autores, existe evidencia de que los caminos que sigue un niño a lo largo de su desarrollo son complejos, influenciados por múltiples variables y no siempre predecibles desde los estilos de apego identificados en la temprana infancia.…”

“…La teoría del apego ha demostrado ser un sólido y productivo marco de investigación de las ciencias médicas y sociales en los últimos 30 años (Berlin & Cassidy, 2001;Barth, Crea, John, Thoburn & Quinton, 2005). A medida que numerosos estudios comprobaban o enriquecían sus postulados centrales, comenzó cobrar relevancia para una gran variedad de áreas relacionadas con el desarrollo humano.…”

“…Un área en la cual estas intervenciones han cobrado cada vez mayor relevancia es el de las organizaciones e instituciones dedicadas a la prevención, protección y reparación en temáticas de la infancia vulnerada en sus derechos, especialmente en Residencias de Protección, Programas de Familias de Acogida y Servicios de Adopción (Barth, Crea, John, Thoburn & Quinton, 2005;Pearce & Pezzot-Pearce, 2001;Timmer et al, 2006). El presente artículo pretende poner a disposición de profesionales, organizaciones e instituciones que trabajan con temáticas relacionadas a la vulneración de derechos de la infancia en Chile y Latinoamérica, una revisión actualizada tanto del marco teórico general que sustenta estas intervenciones (generales y especializadas) como de las características y resultados de las mismas.…”

The Competency Base of Social Workers With Regard to Attachment Theory in Foster Care Supervision: A Pilot Study

“…"Such therapies seek to repair a break in the need cycle by confronting the child, identifying and breaking down psychological defences and repairing the trust of the child through a combination of holding and nurturing touch" (Attach, 2004in Barth, Crea, John, Thoburn & Qiunton, 2005. These therapies have different approaches and show convergence of various modalities, such as theraplay, which combines play therapy with attachment principles (Jenberg & Booth, 2005), and family attachment narrative therapy, which uses narratives as part of the therapeutic process (May, 2005:81-99).…”