A case study of a maltreated thirteen-year-old boy: Using attachment theory to inform treatment in a residential program Review

Cunningham, P, Page, TF. (2001). A case study of a maltreated thirteen-year-old boy: Using attachment theory to inform treatment in a residential program . Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 18(5), 335-352. 10.1023/A:1012503306793

cited authors

  • Cunningham, P; Page, TF

abstract

  • This paper presents therapeutic interventions from an attachment perspective with a thirteen-year-old boy with a history of maltreatment, living in a residential treatment facility. Attachment theory holds that accumulated memories of experiences with caregivers become organized into representational structures called "internal working models." The guiding principles of the therapy begin with the critical role played by the individual therapist as an attachment figure. The central purposes of the therapy are conceived as promoting the restructuring of the internal working models of others to reflect expectations of trustworthiness and reliability, and models of the self as worthy to receive care. The approach described is contrasted with common approaches to residential treatment that rely on environmental behavioral contingencies, modeled on social learning theory. © 2001 Human Sciences Press, Inc.

authors

publication date

  • January 1, 2001

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 335

end page

  • 352

volume

  • 18

issue

  • 5