Understanding Attachment and Attachment Disorders: Theory, Evidence and Practice (Child and Adolescent Mental Health)

This book offers a thorough examination and discussion of the evidence on attachment, its influence on development, and attachment disorders. In Part One, the authors outline attachment theory, the influence of sensitive and insensitive caregiving and the applicability of attachment theory across cultures. Part Two presents the various instruments used to assess attachment and caregiving. Part Three outlines the influence of attachment security on the child's functioning. Part Four examines the poorly understood phenomenon of attachment disorder. Presenting the evidence of scientific research. Read more... Content: Introduction -- What is attachment? -- The classifications of attachment -- What are the factors influencing attachment organization (and disorganisation)? -- Affectional bonds and attachment figures -- Is attachment theory valid across cultures? -- Introduction -- Assessments of attachment -- Assessments of caregiving -- Which domains of functioning are hypothesised to be correlated with attachement and what are the possible pathways of its influence? -- Evidence for correlations between attachment security/insecurity and the child's functioning -- Two versions of attachment disorder -- Research on attachment disorder -- The nature of attachment disorder -- Introduction -- Evidence-based interventions : enhancing caregiver sensitivity -- Evidence-based interventions : change of caregiver -- Interventions with no evidence base -- Conclusions regarding interventions. Abstract: Offers an examination of the evidence on attachment, its influence on development, and attachment disorders. This work outlines attachment theory, the influence of sensitive and insensitive caregiving and the applicability of attachment theory across cultures. It presents the various instruments used to assess attachment and caregiving. Read more...

This book offers a thorough examination and discussion of the evidence on attachment, its influence on development, and attachment disorders.

In Part One, the authors outline attachment theory, the influence of sensitive and insensitive caregiving and the applicability of attachment theory across cultures. Part Two presents the various instruments used to assess attachment and caregiving. Part Three outlines the influence of attachment security on the child's functioning. Part Four examines the poorly understood phenomenon of attachment disorder. Presenting the evidence of scientific research, the authors reveal how attachment disorders may be properly conceptualised. Referring to some of the wilder claims made about attachment disorder, they argue for a disciplined, scientific approach that is grounded in both attachment theory and the evidence base. The final part is an overview of evidence-based interventions designed to help individuals form secure attachments.

Summarizing the existing knowledge base in accessible language, this is a comprehensive reference book for professionals including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, teachers, lawyers and researchers. Foster and adoptive parents, indeed all parents, and students will also find it of interest.

This book offers a thorough examination and discussion of the evidence on attachment, its influence on development, and attachment disorders. In Part One, the authors outline attachment theory, the influence of sensitive and insensitive caregiving and the applicability of attachment theory across cultures. Part Two presents the various instruments used to assess attachment and caregiving. Part Three outlines the influence of attachment security on the child's functioning. Part Four examines the poorly understood phenomenon of attachment disorder. Presenting the evidence of scientific research, the authors reveal how attachment disorders may be properly conceptualised. Referring to some of the wilder claims made about attachment disorder, they argue for a disciplined, scientific approach that is grounded in both attachment theory and the evidence base. The final part is an overview of evidence-based interventions designed to help individuals form secure attachments. Summarising the existing knowledge base in accessible language, this is a comprehensive reference book for professionals including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, teachers, lawyers and researchers. Foster and adoptive parents, indeed all parents, and students will also find it of interest. "This book offers a thorough examination and discussion of the evidence on attachment, its influence on development, and attachment disorders." "Summarising the existing knowledge base in accessible language, this is a comprehensive reference book for professionals including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, teachers, lawyers and researchers. Foster and adoptive parents, indeed all parents, and students will also find it of interest."--Jacket