This chapter addresses the problem of violence among children and attachment disorder in families, the child welfare system, and society. Attachment disorder is one of the most easily diagnosed and yet commonly misunderstood parent-child disorders. Many social service and mental health professionals, although adept at assessing behavioral and emotional disorders in children, are not familiar with attachment concepts. Children with attachment disorder have internalized antisocial values, belief system, and patterns of relating: dishonesty, coercion, aggression, mistrust, betrayal, and selfishness. These children lack the ability to identify and manage emotions, communicate honestly, regulate impulses, and solve problems effectively. Treatment must emphasize prosocial coping skills so that they can function successfully in families and in society. Teaching prosocial coping skills not only reduces acting-out, but also builds self-confidence and self-esteem. Specialized parenting skills are required in order to be successful in their parenting role. A significant amount of evidence accumulated over the past 25 years indicates that early intervention and prevention programs are effective for at-risk children and families. Early intervention and prevention programs have shown to enhance parent–children attachment, foster children's cognitive and social development, and reduce later violence.
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