Attachment disorders: Assessment strategies and treatment approaches

2003/08/28 by Thomas G. O’Connor, Charles H. Zeanah · 3 citations
Social Sciences · Psychology · Medicine · #Child Welfare and Adoption #Attachment and Relationship Dynamics #Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum #Psychology #Intervention (counseling) #Psychotherapist #Developmental psychology #Psychiatry

paper · doi:10.1080/14616730310001593974

openalex publication_date 2003/08/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

The aim of this special issue is to examine methods for assessing and treating attachment disorders. This target article outlines existing strategies for assessment and considers which aspects of severe attachment disturbances and disorders may be core features of the disturbance(s). The usefulness of alternative methodologies for assessment are discussed, with particular emphasis on the need for the development of clinical protocol. The applications and implications for treatment are then discussed, with particular emphasis on the nature of the underlying disturbances that should be a focus for intervention. An absence of established treatment guidelines or consensus regarding the mechanisms of change are highlighted as barriers to further progress.

Citations

• Comparative Effectiveness of Holding Therapy with Aggressive Children
• A psychobiological theory of attachment
• Preventing conduct problems in Head Start children: Strengthening parenting competencies.

Cited by

• Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Reactive Attachment Disorder of Infancy and Early Childhood
• Changing toddlers' and preschoolers' attachment classifications: The circle of security intervention.
• Attachment therapy [wikipedia]