Attachment in foster children associated with caregivers' sensitivity and behavioral problems

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Child Psychiatry
• Attachment Theory

Background:

• Foster children often experience disrupted early relationships, impacting their attachment.
• Understanding factors influencing foster child attachment is crucial for intervention.
• Attachment theory provides a framework for examining caregiver-child relationship dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors associated with attachment security in foster children.
• To examine the relationship between foster parent sensitivity and child attachment.
• To explore the association between attachment disorder symptoms and behavioral problems.

Main Methods:

• The study included 61 foster children (26-88 months) and their caregivers.
• Attachment security was assessed via home observation (Attachment Q-Set).
• Caregiver sensitivity was measured using a laboratory procedure; behavioral problems and attachment disorder symptoms were reported by caregivers and teachers.

Main Results:

• Foster parent sensitivity positively correlated with attachment security, especially when attachment disorder symptoms were excluded.
• Symptoms of inhibited and disinhibited attachment, and secure base distortions, were linked to higher parent-reported externalizing and internalizing behaviors.
• Attachment security was negatively associated with teacher-reported externalizing behavior problems.

Conclusions:

• Attachment theory principles largely apply to foster parent-child relationships.
• Attachment disorder symptoms may complicate or alter typical attachment dynamics.
• Interventions should consider both attachment security and potential attachment disorder symptoms in foster children.