OBJECTIVE: To explore attachment narratives in children diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD). METHOD: We compared attachment narratives, as measured by the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task, in a group of 33 children with a diagnosis of RAD and 37 comparison children. RESULTS: The relative risk (RR) for children with RAD having an insecure attachment pattern was 2.4 (1.4-4.2) but 30% were rated as securely attached. Within the RAD group, children with a clear history of maltreatment were more likely to be Insecure-Disorganised than children without a clear history of maltreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Reactive attachment disorder is not the same as attachment insecurity, and questions remain about how attachment research informs clinical research on attachment disorders.
OBJECTIVE: To explore attachment narratives in children diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD). METHOD: We compared attachment narratives, as measured by the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task, in a group of 33 children with a diagnosis of RAD and 37 comparison children. RESULTS: The relative risk (RR) for children with RAD having an insecure attachment pattern was 2.4 (1.4-4.2) but 30% were rated as securely attached. Within the RAD group, children with a clear history of maltreatment were more likely to be Insecure-Disorganised than children without a clear history of maltreatment. CONCLUSIONS:Reactive attachment disorder is not the same as attachment insecurity, and questions remain about how attachment research informs clinical research on attachment disorders.
Authors: Fareeha Amber Sadiq; Louise Slator; David Skuse; James Law; Christopher Gillberg; Helen Minnis Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2012-03-03 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Stine Lehmann; Odd E Havik; Toril Havik; Einar R Heiervang Journal: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health Date: 2013-11-21 Impact factor: 3.033