Disorganized attachment representation and atypical parenting in young school age children with externalizing disorder

Abstract

We investigated the relationship of child attachment representation, psychopathology, and maternal atypical parenting in a high risk sample. Sixty-one consecutive clinical referrals with externalizing disorder aged 4 – 9 years were assessed for attachment representations measured with Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST), atypical parental expressed emotion (EE), maternal mood, and parent and teacher ratings of child behaviour. Disorganized attachment representations were found in 58% of cases, independent of ADHD symptoms. Pervasive disorganization was associated with very high maternal EE. Attachment status, maternal depression, and ADHD diagnosis were independently associated with parent-rated child behaviour problems; teacher ratings were associated with child's age and ADHD status. Disorganized attachment shows a high prevalence and independent associations with attention deficit symptomatology and maternal EE.

Keywords:

• Disorganized attachment
• oppositional defiant disorder
• conduct disorder
• expressed emotion
• attention deficit hyperactive disorder

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant from the UK Department of Health. We would like to thank colleagues and families who participated in the trial.