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

Abstract

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

Institutional caregiver experiences in child care

“…17 Therefore, it is necessary to have greater constancy in the care of institutionalized children, with individualized attention and receptive and stable contact, since, in the presence of these, the risk of the development of inhibited attachment and disorganized behavior in children is reduced. 18 Thus, the guarantee of a care that considers the individuality and subjectivity of the child enables a better quality. 19 Neglect of care of food, hygiene, caring and physical and emotional violence suffered by children in their families brings suffering to caregivers, making work performance difficult, especially in the first experiences and in those in which signs of maltreatment are more evident.…”

Rede de apoio da criança acolhida: a perspectiva da criança

“…Os vínculos familiares são fundamentais para essas crianças em desenvolvimento, uma vez que serão fundamentais para a formação de identidade e sua constituição enquanto sujeito (Platilha, Magalhães & Pedroso, 2014). Um estudo realizado em Portugal aponta que quando há a presença de contatos frequentes da criança com seus familiares, na residência familiar em detrimento da visita na própria instituição, esses sujeitos apresentam menores índices de comportamentos de apego inibido (Corval, Belsky, Baptista, Oliveira, Mesquita & Soares, 2017).…”

“…Crianças acolhidas que recebem cuidados de educadores com menor disponibilidade afetiva apresentam maior probabilidade de apresentar desenvolvimento socioemocional fragilizado (Baptista, Silva, Marques, Martins & Soares, 2018;Corval, Belsky, Baptista, Oliveira, Mesquita & Soares, 2017). Sendo que as crianças ressaltam o quão negativo é para elas a interação com educadores mais rígidos, sendo importante compreender que a forma como esse cuidador interage com a criança pode refletir na maneira como ela interage com seus pares (Furtado, Magalhães, Silva, Cruz & Santos, 2019;Platilha, Magalhães & Pedroso, 2014).…”

Can reactive attachment disorder persist in nurturing placements? A systematic review and clinical case series

“…Both individual and contextual factors were associated with RAD. Contextual factors included institutionalization (Humphreys et al, 2017; C. H. Zeanah, A. T. Smyke, S. F. Koga, & E. Carlson, 2005); quality of caregiving in the institution (Corval et al, 2017;Gleason et al, 2011;McGoron et al, 2012;C. H. Zeanah et al, 2005;P.…”