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Enhancing attachment organization among maltreated children: results of a randomized clinical trial

Kristin Bernard1, Mary Dozier, Johanna Bick

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA. kbernard@psych.udel.edu

Child Development
|January 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) intervention significantly reduced disorganized attachment in young children exposed to early adversity. This approach enhances secure attachment, offering a vital support for at-risk families.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Attachment Theory

Background:

  • Early adversity and neglect place young children at significant risk for developing disorganized attachment patterns.
  • Disorganized attachment is associated with later behavioral and emotional difficulties.
  • Parenting interventions are crucial for mitigating the impact of early adversity on child development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) intervention in improving attachment quality among high-risk parents and their young children.
  • To determine if the ABC intervention can reduce the incidence of disorganized attachment and increase secure attachment.
  • To assess the impact of a nurturing care intervention on parent-child relationship security.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 120 children aged 11.7 to 31.9 months.
  • Children were assessed for attachment quality using the Strange Situation procedure.
  • Participants were assigned to either the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) intervention or a control intervention.

Main Results:

  • Children in the ABC intervention group exhibited significantly lower rates of disorganized attachment (32%) compared to the control group (57%).
  • The ABC intervention group showed higher rates of secure attachment (52%) than the control group (33%).
  • The findings indicate a statistically significant positive effect of the ABC intervention on attachment security.

Conclusions:

  • The Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) intervention is effective in enhancing the quality of attachment between parents at high risk for maltreatment and their young children.
  • The intervention successfully promotes secure attachment and reduces disorganized attachment patterns.
  • These findings support the use of the ABC intervention as a valuable tool in preventing the intergenerational cycle of maltreatment and promoting healthy child development.

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