Examining the literature on mental health outcomes of disorganised attachment in children

Abstract

Developing an understanding of the potential consequences for children of disorganised attachment is thought to be significant to practitioners This articles reviews the literature on the theory of mental health outcomes for children who display disorganised attachment behaviours. The complex relationships between biochemical, neurological and behavioural systems in relation to attachment are discussed. A connection in the literature between some children with disorganised attachment who receive a diagnosis of conditions such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder, and later progression into adult diagnosis of personality, anxiety and major depressive disorders was found. Disorganised attachments are considered to lead to a higher risk of developing dissociative symptoms and psychopathology in later life.