Staying alive: A 21st century agenda for mental health, child protection and forensic services

Crittenden, Patricia M.; Landini, Andrea; Spieker, Susan J.

doi:10.1177/26344041211007831

Cited by 11 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…The DMM is an overarching framework through which to understand human adaptability and psychopathology within the context of danger (Crittenden & Landini, 2011; Crittenden, Landini, & Spieker, 2021). This position is consistent with views held by Bowlby and Ainsworth (Landa & Duschinsky, 2013; Duschinsky & Solomon, 2017).…”

Section: Theoretical Predictions and Theory-knitting With The Dmmmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Dynamic-Maturational Framework for the Study of Psychosis and Attachment Theory

Jack

Wilson

2022

Journal of Experimental Psychopathology

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Attachment theory has been used to explain the origin of psychotic phenomena. In this article we critically evaluate dominant models and assessment measures of attachment in the study of psychosis. We identify four problems aligning to current theory and assessment: (1) the reliability and/or validity of assessment tools, (2) the failure of current approaches to differentiate between psychotic and non-psychotic cases within attachment classifications, (3) the absence of an integrated conceptual framework and (4) poor clinical utility. We propose the Dynamic-Maturational Model (DMM) of Attachment and Adaptation as an integrative framework with potential explanatory power to address these problems. The DMM is a model of human adaptation, based in attachment theory and integrative of systems theory, psychodynamic psychology, cognitive neuroscience, ethology and behaviourism. We review the present state of knowledge about attachment and psychosis and consider a broader array of empirical information (e.g. cognitive, affective and somatic) to highlight how future investigations and therapeutic intervention might be reconceptualised advantageously within a DMM framework.

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Section: Theoretical Predictions and Theory-knitting With The Dmmmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Dynamic-Maturational Framework for the Study of Psychosis and Attachment Theory

Jack

Wilson

2022

Journal of Experimental Psychopathology

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“…We found that the DMM‐AAI (i) differentiated family forensic parents from other adults and (ii) differentiated among family forensic parents, thus suggesting their need for individualised services. The detail of an AAI can contribute to personalised treatment plans (Crittenden, 2016; Crittenden et al ., 2021a; Crittenden et al ., 2021b; Dallos et al ., 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…See Figure 1 for a comparison of the Berkeley and DMM models. Table 1 in the accompanying paper (Crittenden et al ., 2021a) gives a description of each DMM strategy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Parental Attachment in Family Court Proceedings: An Empirical Study of the DMM‐AAI

Spieker

Crittenden²,

Landini³

et al. 2021

Child Abuse Review

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Two methods for classifying Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI) for family court decisionmaking, Berkeley and DMM, differ in their usefulness for family court. Both expand Ainsworth's three ABC infant categories. The Berkeley method adds a fourth Disorganised/Unresolved category in adulthood, but has low specificity and validity for risk parents. The DMM method identifies an expanding array of strategies across the lifespan, as neurological development makes more complex strategies possible. This study examined DMM-AAI classifications in a sample of 332 British AAIs and compared the results to published meta-analyses of the Berkeley AAI. Six a priori hypotheses addressed the central question raised: which classificatory method for the AAI is more useful for child protection? DMM-AAI classifications differentiated between (i) normative adults, (ii) parents with mental health problems, (iii) parents in family court proceedings and (iv) incarcerated violent criminals on attachment, psychological trauma and pervasively high or low arousal. We assert that the DMM-AAI is sufficiently valid and discriminating for court use and that it can contribute to court decision-making when integrated with other assessments and clinical reports.

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“…The DMM‐AAI, like psychiatric diagnosis, requires specialised skills and authorised assessors (Crittenden, Landini & Spieker, 2021). A standardised reliability test is used to establish coder reliability; coders receive a dated certificate from the Family Relations Institute indicating their level of reliability.…”

Section: Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Parental Attachment in Family Court Proceedings: DMM Theory about the Adult Attachment Interview

Crittenden¹,

Landini²,

Spieker

et al. 2021

Child Abuse Review

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Parental attachment refers to the protective and comforting role of parents toward their children. This role has been violated in cases of maltreatment. Understanding the attachment of parents who endanger their children can illuminate the psychological processes behind the harmful behaviour of parents. This paper proposes assessing parental attachment with the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), classified according to the Dynamic‐Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation (DMM). We discuss meta‐analyses of the ‘gold standard' Berkeley method for extracting AAI information. AAIs of maltreating adults classified with the Berkeley method have an improbably high rate of secure attachment, making it inadequate for family forensic applications. In contrast, the DMM uses a theory‐based, developmental expansion of Ainsworth's infant categories to describe a wide array of dimensionally related protective strategies for coping with danger across the lifespan. DMM‐AAIs, classified by trained, reliable professionals and integrated with data from other sources to create an individualised family formulation, meet evidentiary requirements. We call for a programme of research of court‐involved families comparing DMM‐AAI formulations to outcomes of usual methods for determining family services. Key Practitioner Messages Childhood exposure to danger is crucial to understanding maltreating parents' behaviour. Adult Attachment Interviews, classified with the DMM method by authorised experts, can reveal motivating psychological processes that are not apparent in parental behaviour. Information about parents' attachment, together with other information, can help child protection personnel gauge the risk that parents pose to their children and organise personalised treatment plans to reduce that risk. ABCD Berkeley AAI classifications are not suitable for forensic use.

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Staying alive: A 21st century agenda for mental health, child protection and forensic services

Cited by 11 publications

References 58 publications

A Dynamic-Maturational Framework for the Study of Psychosis and Attachment Theory

A Dynamic-Maturational Framework for the Study of Psychosis and Attachment Theory

Using Parental Attachment in Family Court Proceedings: An Empirical Study of the DMM‐AAI

Using Parental Attachment in Family Court Proceedings: DMM Theory about the Adult Attachment Interview

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