Implementing Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up with birth parents: Rationale and case example

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Parent-Child Relationships
• Intervention Science

Background:

• Vulnerable children in the child welfare system often experience disrupted parent-child relationships.
• Parental sensitivity and nurturance are crucial for child attachment and self-regulation.
• Interventions are needed to support these parent-child dyads.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a rationale for delivering interventions like ABC to parent-child dyads in the child welfare system.
• To review the specific intervention targets of Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC).

Main Methods:

• The study reviews the theoretical underpinnings and targets of the ABC intervention.
• A case example illustrates the application of ABC within the child welfare system.

Main Results:

• Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC) is designed to enhance parental sensitivity and nurturance.
• The intervention aims to promote secure, organized attachments and self-regulatory skills in children.
• The case example demonstrates the relevance of ABC for families involved with Child Protective Services.

Conclusions:

• Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC) offers a targeted approach for improving outcomes for vulnerable children and their parents.
• The intervention is particularly relevant for families navigating the child welfare system, including those affected by domestic violence.