The use and limitations of attachment theory in child psychotherapy.

Abstract

Attachment theory and research has proliferated in recent years, spawning new ideas and applications to child therapy. Some of those interventions are creative and useful and rest on solid theory and research, whereas others derive from tenuous assumptions. As an important developmental construct, attachment plays a role in every therapy, but defining that role can be difficult. Therapists must recognize the significance of attachment in treatment but not at the expense of recognizing and treating other issues. This article provides an overview of attachment theory and attachment-based interventions and discusses how to apply those constructs to therapeutic work with children. It reviews attachment theory, assessment, and treatments, and discusses how attachment-focused interventions can be combined with other therapeutic needs and methods. It also considers limitations in the current clinical application of attachment and makes recommendations for further research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

For the Sake of the Child: Quality of Spousal Relationship Impact on the Early Education of Their Child

“…This study found child neglect which is a byproduct of spousal conflict can have negative influence on the early childhood education. The results from this study confirm the notion that spousal conflict weakens parent-child bond (Klausli & Owen, 2011), which usually develops multifaceted types of emotional dysregulation (Kim & Cicchetti, 2010;Zilberstein, 2014) and belligerent behaviours. Ogundele (2018) posits that these behaviours can encumber learning, constrain access to normal school activities and social prospects, and require a substantial quantity of both manpower and financial expenses to effectively manage them.…”

The Efficacy of Child Parent Relationship Therapy for Adoptive Families: A Replication Study

“…Adoption and attachment experts propose that children with a history of neglectful caregiving can catch up developmentally and overcome social‐emotional and behavioral challenges when they are in relationships with emotionally attuned and responsive adults (Brodzinsky, ; Purvis et al, ; Siegel & Hartzell, ; Zilberstein, ). CPRT focuses on the primacy of a secure parent–child relationship as the agent of change.…”

“…Children can overcome early attachment hardships and move toward healthy functioning when their caregivers provide emotionally responsive caregiving (Zilberstein, ). Interventions that focus on building a secure parent–child relationship by helping parents attune, understand, and respond to their child's distress are essential for adopted children with a history of attachment disruptions to help them heal from their early adverse experiences (Carnes‐Holt & Bratton, ; Hughes, ; Purvis et al, ; Siegel & Hartzell, ).…”

Attachment Patterns and Complex Trauma in a Sample of Adults Diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria

“…Complex trauma can be understood as a set of experiences of cumulative, chronic and prolonged traumatic events, most often of an interpersonal nature, involving primary caregivers and frequently arising in early childhood or adolescence ( Courtois, 2004 ; Cook et al, 2005 ). Maltreatment experiences may include: severe neglect; exposure to domestic violence; intensive, painful medical conditions; and physical and sexual abuse ( Zilberstein, 2014 ). Often, children suffering from complex trauma face a combination of these experiences ( Ford et al, 2010 ).…”