Abstract
In an effort to improve the effectiveness of their services with children and adolescents, many social workers consult research guided by attachment theory. This article provides a brief overview of attachment theory with specific attention given to its application to contemporary child welfare research. Criticisms of attachment theory are discussed in detail, along with possibilities for alternative research frameworks including crisis intervention, anti-discrimination, social construction, and critical social work theories.
Highlights
In an effort to improve the effectiveness of their services with children and adolescents, many social workers consult research guided by attachment theory
A substantial body of research supports what child welfare workers have known for decades: The detrimental effects of child abuse and neglect are significant, long-lasting, and can impact every aspect of a child’s life (Augoustinos, 1987; Cahill, Kaminer, & Johnson, 1999; Fagan, 2001; Glaser, 2000; Pollak, Cicchetti, Hornung, & Reed, 2000; Smetana & Kelly, 1989; Starr & Wolfe, 1991)
Applications to child welfare Proponents of attachment theory stress its usefulness in understanding the psychological ramifications of child abuse and neglect
Summary
The basic premise of attachment theory is that a child’s relationship with a primary caregiver during infancy is critically important to later development and serves as a prototype for the child’s relationships throughout the lifespan (Howe, 1995). The insecure-disorganized classification category was not originally included in the work of Ainsworth and her colleagues This pattern of attachment was recognized by Main and Solomon (1986) who noticed unusual responses in infants who had experienced significant trauma and/or behavior on the part of the primary caregiver that was frightening or unpredictable. Since attachment theory posits that a child’s relationship to a primary caregiver (again, often female) serves a critical role in the child’s psychological development, the theory logically implies that complications in development (i.e. psychopathology) can be attributed to problems within the child-caregiver relationship This professionally sanctioned “motherblaming” has been identified by feminist writers as problematic, sexist, and designed to support the status quo (Birns, 1999; Contratto, 2002). They explain that attachment theory honors women and the significant contributions that female caregivers make to society (Harvey, 2003)
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