title: Predictors of attachment styles of children in foster care: an attachment theory model for working with families.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the attachment styles of children in foster care and to use this information to inform clinical practice (N = 110). When examining the relationship between attachment style and child characteristics, no significant differences were found. A structural equation model hypothesizing the relation of individual characteristics, losses, and family contact to avoidant attachment was then tested. Results provided tentative support for the hypothesized model. Implications for therapists include being attentive to attachment injuries, and working to create safe therapeutic environments when working with families involved in the foster care system.
authors.affiliation: Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Florida State University, 225 Sandals Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1491, USA. Lmcwey@fsu.edu
authors.forename: Lenore M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: McWey
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D015144:Southeastern United States