Media contributions
1Media contributions
Title Which attachment interventions are supported by research? Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet NIHR Media type Web Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 20/10/23 Description Healthy attachments (or bonds) between a child and their caregivers promote positive social and emotional development. Children whose caregivers are consistent and responsive tend to develop secure attachments. But those who have had a difficult upbringing, and experienced abuse or neglect for example, may experience severe attachment problems. Services offer a range of interventions to strengthen children’s relationship with their caregivers and improve attachment.
New research explored the strength of evidence for the attachment interventions in use for children. Researchers asked services which interventions they use most often, and then searched for evidence to support their use. 734 services from across the UK responded.
The study identified interventions with a strong evidence base, but these were not widely used. It also found that the more commonly used interventions had a limited evidence base. This does not mean they are ineffective but there is an urgent need to evaluate them.
The findings provide information for child mental health researchers and commissioners on the evidence base for child attachment interventions.Producer/Author NIHR Persons Emily Taylor
Keywords
- attachment
- care-experienced children
- psychological interventions