Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

Intervention effects on foster preschoolers' attachment-related behaviors from a randomized trial

Philip A Fisher1, Hyoun K Kim

  • 1Oregon Social Learning Center, 10 Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97401-4928, USA. philf@oslc.org

Prevention Science : the Official Journal of the Society for Prevention Research
|March 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Program for Preschoolers (MTFC-P) intervention improved secure attachment behaviors in foster children. This program led to significant increases in secure and decreases in avoidant behaviors for preschoolers in foster care.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Attachment Theory

Background:

  • Foster care presents unique challenges to preschooler development.
  • Attachment behaviors are critical for emotional and social well-being in young children.
  • Early intervention is crucial for mitigating negative impacts on foster youth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Program for Preschoolers (MTFC-P) on attachment behaviors.
  • To examine changes in secure, resistant, and avoidant behaviors in foster preschoolers.
  • To identify factors influencing treatment effectiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Randomized controlled trial comparing MTFC-P to regular foster care.
  • Caregiver-report diary used to measure attachment behaviors at 3-month intervals over 12 months.
  • Analysis of secure, resistant, and avoidant behaviors.

Main Results:

  • Children in the MTFC-P group showed significant increases in secure behaviors.
  • The MTFC-P group also demonstrated significant decreases in avoidant behaviors.
  • Both groups exhibited decreases in resistant behaviors; an interaction between MTFC-P and age at placement affected secure behavior changes.

Conclusions:

  • MTFC-P is effective in improving attachment-related behaviors in foster preschoolers.
  • Early intervention services are vital for supporting vulnerable foster children.
  • Tailoring interventions based on age at placement may enhance outcomes.

Related Concept Videos

Operant Conditioning Intervention01:24

Operant Conditioning Intervention

Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Community Based Intervention01:30

Community Based Intervention

Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood03:34

Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood

Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships.
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
Attachment01:20

Attachment

Attachment is vital for infant development, as warm social interactions support growth and well-being. In a classic 1958 study by Harry Harlow, the significance of warmth and comfort in forming attachments was examined. Harlow separated newborn monkeys from their mothers and provided two artificial "mothers": one made of cold wire and the other covered in soft cloth. Despite the wire mother offering food, the infant monkeys preferred the comfort of the cloth mother, demonstrating that physical...
Behavior Modification01:21

Behavior Modification

Behavioral approaches have often been criticized for ignoring mental processes and focusing solely on observable behavior. However, these approaches provide an optimistic perspective for individuals seeking to change their behaviors. Rather than concentrating on intrinsic personality traits, behavioral approaches suggest that even longstanding habits can be modified by changing the reward contingencies that maintain them.
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...