Indeed, it is disconcerting to note that even now, unfortunately, inappropriate clinical practices are employed by some clinicians and parents even when abusive and dangerous for the child's life.2, 3 In our opinion, rigorous studies on the effectiveness of intervention programs in promoting the development of secure
attachments in maltreated children are essential in order to answer the questions posed by researchers.
Biomarkers of Risk and
Resilience in Maltreated Children Examines recently maltreated children, with an emphasis on identifying physiologic and genetic mechanisms that may be indicative of more adaptive response to this serious contextual stressor.
Organizational perspective on cognitive control functioning and cognitive — affective balance in maltreated children
This study examined young boys who were maltreated in their youth (Avshalom Caspl et al., «Role of Genotype in the Cycle of
Violence in Maltreated Children,» Science, August 2, 2002).
Summary: (To include comparison groups, outcomes, measures, notable limitations) This study assessed the effects of participation in the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch - up (ABC) intervention on child abuse potential, parenting stress, and child
behavior in maltreated children and their foster parents.
[jounal] Toth, S. L. / 1996 / Patterns of relatedness, depressive symptomatology, and perceived
competence in maltreated children / Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 64 (1): 32 ~ 41
The percentage of secure attachments is
similar in maltreated children and institution - reared children, but the percentage of disorganized attachments in institution - reared children is considerably larger (Figure 1).
For a better understanding of the effects of maltreatment on child development, it is important according to van IJzendoorn and Bakermans - Kranenburg1 to examine the mechanisms involved in the development of disorganized attachments and the capacity for resilience so unexpectedly
displayed in some maltreated children.
These findings advance our understanding of foster placement's
role in maltreated children's development and provide preliminary insight into the processes associated with the formation of potentially compensatory relationships.
Puetz and McCrory draw parallels with the remarkably similar pattern of
findings in maltreated children and suggest that these early neurodevelopmental changes may in part account for the especially severe and chronic addiction profiles in adults with early histories of maltreatment.
Our comments are thus intended to highlight the aspects that should be considered in developing intervention programs for the prevention of disorganized
attachments in maltreated children.
The findings suggest that, despite early exposure to trauma, many maltreated children display a low or normal level of externalizing behavior problems over time, providing empirical evidence of
resilience in maltreated children.
Organizational perspective on cognitive control functioning and cognitive - affective balance in maltreated children
Bonding and attachment
in maltreated children: consequences of emotional neglect in childhood.
Perry, Bonding and Attachment
in Maltreated Children: Consequences of Emotional Neglect in Childhood, ChildTrauma Academy, 2001.