Attachment Disorder behavior in early and middle childhood: associations with children’s self-concept and observed signs of negative internal working models

ABSTRACT

Most research on attachment in childhood is based on observation. In contrast, research on reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is mainly based on caregiver reports. Moreover, little is known about self-concept or internal working models (IWMs) of self and others in children with RAD. The present study examined whether caregiver reports and the frequency of observed signs of RAD reveal differences between children at risk for developing RAD symptoms and healthy controls in middle childhood. In addition, children’s self-concept, observable signs of negative IWMs, and mental health were assessed. Results revealed that the RAD risk group showed increased reported and observed signs of RAD, a more negative self-concept, and more signs of negative IWMs compared to healthy controls. Signs of RAD in middle childhood were expressed trans-relational to both caregivers and strangers. Moreover, RAD symptoms were associated with negative self-concept, observed signs of negative IWMs, and poor mental health.

KEYWORDS:

• Attachment disorder
• middle childhood
• behavior observation
• self-concept
• internal working models
• mental health

Acknowlegments

We are very indebted to Sabine Pritzel, Antje Liebetrau, Lea Menth, Katharina Rademacher, Kim Schumacher, Henrike Guthoff, Theresa Zanders, Lisa Bröker, and Laura Mühling for their assistance in the study. We want to express our gratitude to all participating children and caregivers for their extraordinary cooperation.

Additional information

Funding

We are very grateful to the Köhler-Stiftung, Germany (Grant number S 112/10161/12) who supported the organization of meetings of the European Consortium on inhibited RAD.