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Attachment Theory, Child Maltreatment, and Family Support

A Practice and Assessment Model

• By David Howe, Marion Brandon, Diana Hinings, Gillian Schofield

• Price: $69.95
• Binding: Paperback
• Pages: 320
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 1st September 1999
• ISBN: 978-0-8058-3537-3

About the Book

Recent advances in our understanding of children's social development have important implications for practice in the fields of child welfare, maltreatment, family support, adoption, residential and foster care. But they have not hitherto been systematically explored. This groundbreaking book constitutes the first clear and clinically useful summary.

In Part I, integrating major research findings and exciting theoretical developments, the authors introduce the basic patterns of attachment across the life span.

In Part II, they focus on applications. Their detailed description of a practice and assessment model for work with children and families leads practitioners step by step through the key stages of information gathering, analysis and assessment, formulation of aims, and methods of intervention. The model is then used to support a range of approaches to help.

Throughout, fascinating case material, relationship histories, and interview transcripts illustrate both theory and practice. The book will be an invaluable resource for all those working with children in need.

Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction: Working With Children and Families. Part I: The Theory Behind the Practice. Understanding Attachment Theory. Measuring Attachment cross the Lifespan. Secure and Autonomous Patterns. Avoidant, Defended, and Dismissing Patterns. Ambivalent, Dependent, and Preoccupied Patterns. Disorganized, Controlling, and Unresolved Patterns. Part II: Applying the Theory to Practice. Gathering Information for Assessment. Analysing, Assessing, and Classifying the Information. Formulating the Aims of Intervention. Introducing Protective Mechanisms and Processes. The Sites and Forms of Intervention. Conclusion.