| 1. |
- Forslund, Tommie, et al.
(author)
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Attachment goes to court : child protection and custody issues
- 2022
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In: Attachment & Human Development. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1461-6734 .- 1469-2988. ; 24:1, s. 1-52
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. The article is divided into two parts. In the first, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child’s need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments of attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration.
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| 2. |
- Forslund, Tommie, et al.
(author)
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El Apego Va a Juicio: Problemas de Custodia y Protección Infantil : [Attachment goes to court: Child protection and custody issues]
- 2021
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In: Anuario de psicología jurídica. - : Colegio Oficial de la Psicologia de Madrid. - 1133-0740 .- 2174-0542. ; 32:1, s. 115-139
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. This article is divided into two parts. In the first part, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child's need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments of attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Forslund, Tommie, et al.
(author)
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Disorganized attachment representations, externalizing behavior problems, and socioemotional competences in early school-age
- 2020
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In: Attachment & Human Development. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1461-6734 .- 1469-2988. ; 22:4, s. 448-473
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Multifactorial research must examine if disorganized attachment is specifically associated with either ODD- or ADHD-symptoms,and the mechanisms through which disorganization may become associated with externalizing problems. The present short-term longitudinal study therefore examined attachment representations, and several competences important for socio-emotional functioning, in relation to ODD- and ADHD-symptoms at T1 (N = 105, M age = 80 months) and T2 (N = 80, M age = 104 months). There was a main effect of disorganized attachment on ODD-symptoms at both time points but not on ADHD-symptoms. Disorganized children also showed lowered attention to facial expressions, a diminished ability to discriminate facial expressions, and elevated emotional reactivity. Emotional reactivity mediated the link between disorganization and ODD-symptoms at T1, but not at T2. The findings support disorganized attachment as a risk-factor for ODD-symptoms rather than ADHD-symptoms, and suggest that disorganization may become associated with ODD-symptoms through broad effects on multiple competences.
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| 5. |
- Forssman, Linda, et al.
(author)
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Regulatory variant of the TPH2 gene and early life stress are associated with heightened attention to social signals of fear in infants
- 2014
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In: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. - : Wiley. - 0021-9630 .- 1469-7610. ; 55:7, s. 793-801
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Cross-species evidence suggests that genetic and experiential factors act early in development to establish individual emotional traits, but little is known about the mechanisms that emerge during this period to mediate long-term outcomes. Here, we tested the hypothesis that known genetic and environmental risk conditions may heighten infants' natural tendency to attend to threat-alerting stimuli, resulting in a cognitive bias that may contribute to emotional vulnerability.METHODS: Data from two samples of 5-7-month-old infants (N = 139) were used to examine whether established candidate variations in the serotonin-system genes, i.e., TPH2 SNP rs4570625 (-703 G/T) and HTR1A SNP rs6295 (-1019 G/C), and early rearing condition (maternal stress and depressive symptoms) are associated with alterations in infants' attention to facial expressions. Infants were tested with a paradigm that assesses the ability to disengage attention from a centrally presented stimulus (a nonface control stimulus or a neutral, happy, or fearful facial expression) toward the location of a new stimulus in the visual periphery (a geometric shape).RESULTS: TPH2 -703 T-carrier genotype (i.e., TT homozygotes and heterozygotes), presence of maternal stress and depressive symptoms, and a combination of the T-carrier genotype and maternal depressive symptoms were associated with a relatively greater difficulty disengaging attention from fearful facial expressions. No associations were found with infants' temperamental traits.CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in infants' natural attentional bias toward fearful facial expressions may emerge prior to the manifestation of emotional and social behaviors and provide a sensitive marker of early emotional development.
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| 6. |
- Peltola, Mikko J, et al.
(author)
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Attention to Faces Expressing Negative Emotion at 7 Months Predicts Attachment Security at 14 Months
- 2015
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In: Child Development. - : Wiley. - 0009-3920 .- 1467-8624. ; 86:5, s. 1321-1332
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To investigate potential infant-related antecedents characterizing later attachment security, this study tested whether attention to facial expressions, assessed with an eye-tracking paradigm at 7 months of age (N = 73), predicted infant-mother attachment in the Strange Situation Procedure at 14 months. Attention to fearful faces at 7 months predicted attachment security, with a smaller attentional bias to fearful expressions associated with insecure attachment. Attachment disorganization in particular was linked to an absence of the age-typical attentional bias to fear. These data provide the first evidence linking infants' attentional bias to negative facial expressions with attachment formation and suggest reduced sensitivity to facial expressions of negative emotion as a testable trait that could link attachment disorganization with later behavioral outcomes.
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