Predictors of the rate and course of reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder symptoms in foster children during the first year of placement

Zimmermann J, Kliewer-Neumann J, Bovenschen I, Lang K, Gabler S, Nowacki K, Spangler G (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Child Abuse & Neglect Elsevier

Book Volume: 154

Article Number: 106872

DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106872

Abstract

Background: Due to adverse care experiences, foster children are at risk for developing symptoms of reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED). Objective: This study investigated the factors influencing rate and course of RAD and DSED symptoms during the first year of placement in long-term foster care. Participants and setting: The sample consisted of 55 foster children aged 1 to 6 years. Measurements were taken at placement as well as 6 and 12 months after placement. Methods: RAD and DSED symptoms were assessed with the Disturbance of Attachment Interview (DAI). DSED symptoms were also assessed by observation with the Rating of Infant Stranger Engagement (RISE). Foster parents and caseworkers reported on children's preplacement experiences and placement characteristics. Results: RAD symptoms were rare at Wave 1 (5.5 %) and remitted in most children within the first six months of placement, t(54) = 3.06, p =.003. A total of 30.9 % of the foster children presented DSED symptoms according to the DAI, but only 5.5 % of the children according to the RISE. Foster parents reported symptom reduction, t(54) = 3.71, p =.003, while observational data indicated symptom stability. Prior placement in emergency foster care was associated with lower levels of RAD at Wave 1, F(1.62, 80.88) = 7.80, p =.002, while later placed children presented more RAD and DSED symptoms (RRAD² = 0.07, RDSED² = 0.08, RRISE² = 0.12). Psychopathology of the biological parents (RRAD² = 0.07, RDSED² = 0.08) and visitation with the biological parents (RRISE² = 0.14) predicted symptom stability. Conclusion: A substantial number of foster children present persistent DSED symptoms indicating a need for evidenced based interventions.

Authors with CRIS profile

Janin Zimmermann Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie Ina Bovenschen Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie Katrin Lang Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie Sandra Gabler Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie Gottfried Spangler Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie

Involved external institutions

Fachhochschule Dortmund - University of Applied Sciences

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Zimmermann, J., Kliewer-Neumann, J., Bovenschen, I., Lang, K., Gabler, S., Nowacki, K., & Spangler, G. (2024). Predictors of the rate and course of reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder symptoms in foster children during the first year of placement. Child Abuse & Neglect, 154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106872

MLA:

Zimmermann, Janin, et al. "Predictors of the rate and course of reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder symptoms in foster children during the first year of placement." Child Abuse & Neglect 154 (2024).

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