Attachment representations of professionals − Influence on intervention and implications for clinical training and supervision

Abstract

This study focuses on the attachment background of facilitators carrying out STEEP intervention, which may be a possible source of effectiveness variation. The attachment status of 161 professionals was assessed before STEEP training. 18 were followed up to evaluate the programme’s effectiveness regarding mother infant attachment. In the larger sample (n=161), 76% of trainees had insecure attachment representations. While attachment security had no impact on intervention efficacy, professionals with an unresolved attachment trauma were 4.4 times less effective than professionals with no unresolved attachment status. This study highlights the importance of including professional workers’ attachment status in intervention programs.