The construction of an attachment bond in children exposed to domestic violence

Journal title MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL’INFANZIA
Author/s Paola Miano, Federica Astorino
Publishing Year 2017 Issue 2017/2
Language Italian Pages 19 P. 81-99 File size 212 KB
DOI 10.3280/MAL2017-002005
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The construction of an attachment bond in children exposed to domestic violence. The structuring of the attachment bond may be influenced by specific characteristics related to individuals and context. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of attachment in a family unit composed of one mother and four children, who were living in a Safe House for victims fleeing from domestic violence. Attachment was evaluated in the mother through administration of the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan, & Main, 1985) and in the children through administration of the Separation Anxiety Test (Attili, 2001). Results highlighted an insecure attachment in the mother and in the youngest child and a secure attachment in the three male children. With regard to the structuring of the attachment the influence of parenting skills and substitute attachment figures was analysed.

Keywords: Attachment, parenting, caregiving, maltreatment, domestic violence.

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Paola Miano, Federica Astorino, La strutturazione del legame di attaccamento in minori esposti a violenza domestica in "MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL’INFANZIA" 2/2017, pp 81-99, DOI: 10.3280/MAL2017-002005