Practicing attachment in the real world: improving maternal insightfulness and dyadic emotional availability at an outpatient community mental health clinic

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of an attachment-based intervention program practiced at an outpatient clinic. Changes in parental insightfulness and dyadic emotional availability were assessed in 32 mother–child dyads from pre- to post-intervention. At both data collection points, mothers were interviewed with the Insightfulness Assessment and the mother–child dyad was observed in play sessions coded with the Emotional Availability Scales. Findings revealed a strong association between maternal insightfulness and dyadic emotional availability, both before and after treatment. In terms of intervention efficacy, positive gains were observed in both insightfulness and dyadic emotional availability from pre- to post-intervention. Mothers who changed their classifications from non-insightful to insightful following the intervention showed the greatest gains in emotional availability. These findings have important implications for the type of interventions and service delivery model that could work in real world clinical settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Attachment
• intervention
• maternal insightfulness
• emotional availability
• psychotherapy

Acknowledgements

We want to acknowledge Jessica Floyd and Tracye Polson for their key contributions to the research. We would also like to thank all Lourie Center children, families, and staff for their participation in this study and for their inspiring efforts to strive together for healthier and happier growing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The total percentage for the four modes of treatment is greater than 100 because most families received more than one mode of treatment.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yair Ziv

The contribution of the first two authors is equal. Yair Ziv, Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa. Betty Ann Kaplan and Jimmy Venza, The Lourie Center for Children’s Social and Emotional Wellness. This research was made possible through the generous support of: Stephen A. and Diana L. Goldberg Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Marion Esser Kaufmann Foundation; Harold and Rose Kramer Endowment Fund.