Abstract
The borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by a borderline intelligence quotient (range 70–85) with difficulties in cognitive and social domains. Children with BIF often live in adverse conditions and show academic and behavioral difficulties. Rehabilitation programs for these children focus mainly on cognitive aspects, sometimes with the aid of new technologies that are able to engage and motivate. In this framework, the affective development of children with BIF and its possible role both in the difficulties they manifest and in the rehabilitation is still poorly investigated. In this work, we investigate the characteristics of the internal working models of these children by applying the separation anxiety test, using both the classical and a new coding system to identify the specific features of the attachment representation. Results delineate a profile characterized by low self-confidence and high separation anxiety, with a tendency to somatization. In the light of these results, we suggest that this attachment profile has an impact on the therapeutic relationships and on the efficacy in the use of technological devices. We propose a new perspective in which the interpersonal relationship with the psychologist and the support of the self-confidence of children are crucial to treating cognitive and behavioral difficulties in children with BIF. Only in this case, the use of new technologies and tools may be effective in promoting the greatest possible benefit from therapeutic interventions.
Highlights
Adverse childhood experience (ACE) impacts neurological and psychological development lifelong (Hassiotis et al, 2019)
We note that in the high-intensity items children showed a high level of attachment security because they recognized negative emotions and were able to justify them in relation to the separation from the mother; a low-avoidance score was observed
We proposed a description of the answers to the separation anxiety test (SAT) of children with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF), with the aim to explore their internal working model (IWM) characteristics
Summary
Adverse childhood experience (ACE) impacts neurological and psychological development lifelong (Hassiotis et al, 2019). The difficulties in cognitive and social functioning, in executive functioning, language, learning, movement, emotion regulation, coping, and mentalization (Salvador-Carulla et al, 2013; Peltopuro et al, 2014; Hassiotis, 2015; Baglio et al, 2016; Contena and Taddei, 2017; Alesi et al, 2018; Predescu et al, 2020) expose individuals with BIF to the risk of developing mental illnesses lifelong (Hassiotis et al, 2019) Given these premises, it is crucial to find effective rehabilitation approaches for this population
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