Fréttir

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate whether the lack of selective attachment - the lack of a relationship with a responsive caregiver - could be considered to be the primary cause of disturbances of attachment in internationally adopted children. Studies along with literature on the subject were examined and the findings from that examination indicated that this variable can indeed be considered to be the primary cause of disturbances of attachment. Internationally adopted children that have been lacking a consistent and responsive caregiver, appear to be in danger of having to deal with disturbances in attachment and related difficulties. That conclusion is furthermore in accordance with the ecological attachment theory of John Bowlby and his emphasis on selective attachments and the consequences of the failure to develop selective attachment relationships. Finally, intervention to help adopted children and their families was discussed and revealed that methods that focus on improving the child-caregiver relationship seem to be most effective. Interestingly, using those kinds of methods is also in accordance with ecological attachment theory.

The Relationship between Attachment and Development in Internationally Adopted Children:  Is Love a Necessary Ingredient for a Healthy Development?