Understanding Disorganized Attachment: Theory and Practice for Working with Children and Adults

Disorganized attachment, the most extreme form of insecure attachment, can develop in a child when the person who is normally meant to protect them is a source of danger. This usually leads to 'fear without solution' and the effects can be lasting and damaging. This book is a comprehensive and accessible text on disorganized attachment. It outlines what it is, how it can be identified and the key causes, including neurological, biochemical and genetic explanations. Factors that contribute to disorganized attachment are covered including unresolved loss and trauma, and the behaviour of caregivers. The authors also discuss evidence-based interventions to help families and carers as well as how to work with adults to prevent or minimize its occurrence. To root the theory in practice and to illustrate real-life examples of disorganized attachment case vignettes are included. With an authoritative research base, this accessible text will be invaluable to practitioners and academics in the fields of social care, psychology, counselling and allied health professions as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements. Dedication. Introduction. Part 1. Theoretical and Research Background. 1. What is Disorganized Attachment? 2. Key Pathways to Disorganized Attachment and its Consequences. 3. Identification and Assessment of Disorganized Attachment. 4. Neurological, Biochemical and Genetic Explanations. Part 2. Intervening Factors Leading to Disorganized Attachment. 5. Unresolved Loss and Trauma. 6. Mentalization and Reflective Function. 7. Specific Caregiver Behaviour (with David Wilkins). Part 3. Theory and Research into Practice. 8. What Produces Successful Interventions? (with David Phillips). 9. The Assessment of Disorganized Attachment and Maltreatment (ADAM) Project (with Tania Young). Concluding Comments. References. Subject Index. Author Index.

About the Author :
David Shemmings is Professor of Social Work in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at the University of Kent. He undertook his PhD in attachment theory, and has spent most of his working life in the field of child protection. Yvonne Shemmings is a Continuing Professional Development Specialist and has trained professionals in over 30 child protection organizations. She is a qualified social worker and a senior manager, and her work includes the use of attachment theory in practice. Both David and Yvonne have published widely in the fields of child and adult attachment and child protection.

Review :
This accessible and informative book takes an up-to-date approach to the topic of disorganized attachment... The text has an authoritative research base and will be of use to social work and counselling/therapy professionals. Shemmings and Shemmings cut to the crux of the child protection system... If the vision of practice featured in Understanding Disorganized Attachment is realized, social workers will have a research-based framework with which to assess and to assist parents and children most at risk of maltreatment. In turn, this knowledge could help raise social workers' confidence in their abilities, sense of efficacy in interventions and purpose in visits. When I read a book, I put a sticky note on any page I find interesting and intend to refer to later. In this book of 240 pages, there were 55 stickies. I read it again. It is an easy to read, though academic, book and, in parts, is entertaining. It draws from a list of references and demonstrates not only how our knowledge has developed over the years, but where we might go in the future. The subject matter is crucial to anyone working with, and making decisions on behalf of, children and families... I would recommend this book to any childcare practitioner in health and social care and carers. I was keen to review this book and have not been disappointed. It is a scholarly and practical work containing a wealth of valuable information and theoretically researched suggestions... the book in its entirety is one that should be required reading for training in anything connected with children's welfare, for health and particularly mental health professionals, and for teacher training. This book is written in a clear, accessible style, without over-simplifying some of the very complex ideas. It is scholarly and well-researched. It also provides helpful introductions to attachment theory, metallisation and recent developments in neuroscience. A well-written book that clearly, and in detail, describes the ethology, assessment, and components of effective treatment of disorganized attachment. The authors explain the main concepts of attachment theory with a remarkable clarity that is refreshing and insightful, drawing on historical and everyday examples to illustrate their points. It is clear, complete, and put into easily understandable terms. The [authors] have written a seminal work on disorganized attachment. This is a fabulous book. It provides a clear and coherent account of normal attachment systems in children and their parents, and an equally clear account of how the behaviours of parents affect the security of children's attachment. The authors are experienced real-world practitioners as well as researchers, and it shows. I hope and anticipate that this book will be read by all those working in child protection systems, especially family court judges and those who assess parents accused of maltreatment.