Indiscriminate friendliness in foster children: Associations with attachment security, foster parents’ sensitivity, and child inhibitory control

Abstract

<jats:p> Indiscriminate friendliness (IF) is atypical behavior often seen in postinstitutionalized and foster children. The current exploratory study examined the associations of children’s attachment security, parental sensitivity, and child inhibitory control with reported and observed IF in 60 family-reared, never-institutionalized foster children. IF was measured with a parent-report questionnaire (Indiscriminate Friendliness Questionnaire) and an observational measure (adapted version of the Stranger at the Door procedure; Bucharest Early Intervention Project). Attachment security and inhibitory control were related to reported IF (i.e., a secure attachment and poor inhibitory control were associated with higher levels of IF), but parental sensitivity was not. No associations were found between observed IF and attachment security, parental sensitivity, or inhibitory control. Thus, foster children with a secure attachment relationship may be more prone to socially interact with others including strangers, whereas better inhibitory control may serve as a buffer against IF but these results were found for reported IF only. More research is needed to gain more knowledge about different measures, other possible correlates, and underlying mechanisms of IF. </jats:p>

Parenting interventions to support parent/child attachment and psychosocial adjustment in foster and adoptive parents and children: A systematic review

“…Another randomised study with adoptive families took place in Italy and was reported in two publication (Barone et al, 2019; Barone, Barone, et al, 2018). Finally VIPP was used in a randomised study in Holland using foster families, and this study was reported in Schoemaker et al (2020).…”

One piece of the puzzle: Treatment of fostered and adopted children with RAD and DSED

“…In fact, Dylan developed DSED after RAD resolved, and its appearance seemed associated with that shift. According to his verbalisation that 'More is always better', he may have generalised his trusting relationship with his foster carers to other adult relationships (Schoemaker et al, 2020;Vervoort et al, 2014), perhaps to ensure continued care in the event of further placement disruptions (Gorter et al, 2017;Minnis et al, 2006). Not only did he exhibit DSED along with improved use of his carers for support, nurture and soothing, he may also have developed this condition precisely because he enjoyed feeling safe and nurtured.…”

“…While researchers agree that RAD and DSED capture important relational phenomena not accounted for in other diagnoses (Gleason et al., 2011), many questions remain about the mechanisms underlying their development. The neurobiological effects of stress, genetics and working models of attachment have all been posited as potential mediators (Dahmen et al., 2012; Rutter et al, 2010; Schoemaker et al, 2020).…”

“…As attachments emerge from an evolutionary drive for survival, children’s inconsistent early caregiving may lead them to seek as many interactions with others as possible to insure against further loss or abandonment (Gorter et al., 2017; Minnis et al., 2006). Children who successfully form a positive relationship with a new caregiver or adult after socially deprived circumstances may also overgeneralise their newly learned attachment behaviour (Schoemaker et al., 2020). Not enough studies of social representations in children with RAD and DSED exist to sort out the cognitive and emotional schemata underlying inhibited and disinhibited behaviours.…”

Presenting the diagnostic background of gender dysphoria from a psychological and criminological perspective in a sexually exploited adolescent living in a children’s special foster care home

“…A Rorschach-teszt eredményei alapján feltűnő a kötődési probléma jelenléte. Számos kutatás (Schoemaker et al, 2020;Lehmann et al, 2020;O'Connor, Woolgar, Humayun, Briskman & Scott, 2019) mutatott ki diszinhibíciós (gátolatlan) kötődési zavart intézetben nevelkedett serdülőknél. Ezekre a gyermekekre általánosan jellemző, hogy könnyen mennek el idegenekkel, és az általuk nem ismert személyekkel válogatás nélkül kedvesek, ragaszkodók.…”