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Promoting secure attachment

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Tsappis, E 
Garside, M 
Wright, B 
Fearon, P 

Abstract

Attachment is an infant's inherent drive to seek comfort from their caregiver, particularly at times of perceived threat. A child can show a number of attachment patterns, with a secure attachment pattern linked to improved long term outcomes, such as healthy social and emotional development. A range of parenting interventions have been developed aiming to increase secure attachment. To understand what interventions are being used and the evidence base behind these a national survey of UK services was conducted to find about how attachment problems are assessed and treated. We identified the ten most commonly used interventions in UK practice. We then conducted two systematic reviews. One searched for all randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence for any attachment parenting intervention. The second review searched for all available research focused on the ten interventions identified from the survey. For the first review, a meta-analysis showed parenting interventions are effective at increasing secure attachment in children. The second review found that the most commonly used interventions in UK services have a limited evidence base whereas the interventions with the most evidence are not as widely used. It is important to improve the integration of research and practice to develop the best care.

Description

Keywords

3213 Paediatrics, 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 6.6 Psychological and behavioural

Journal Title

Paediatrics and Child Health (United Kingdom)

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1751-7222
1878-206X

Volume Title

32

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (via Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) (HTA NIHR127810)