Research Library

One of the most well-documented sequelae of early maltreatment and institutionalisation is attachment problems, including behaviours under the labels of reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED). Despite growing evidence of the neurobiological effects of institutionalisation, the neural correlates of these behavioural patterns are largely unknown. Authors: Oliveira, P. S., Fearon, P, Belsky, J., Mesquita, A., Sampaio, A., Pinal, D., Soares, I. (2022).

This article sets out the rationale for the Reflective Fostering Programme (RFP), outlines its key elements and concludes by indicating future service implementation and a planned feasibility study examining this approach. Authors: Redfern, S., Wood, S., Lassri, D., Cirasola, A., West, G., Austerberry, C., Luyten, P., Fonagy, P., Midgley, N. (2018).

The study aimed to modify an existing parenting intervention for children with reactive attachment disorder (RAD) in the UK foster care setting, and test the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the modified intervention. Authors: Oliveira, P., et al. (2022).

Research suggests that supporting the carer-child relationship, by promoting the carer’s reflective parenting, may be an effective approach to improving the wellbeing of these children. Authors: Midgley, N., Irvine, K., Rider, B. et al. (2021).

Children in care, whose early experiences have often involved significant discontinuity and adversity, are at risk of developing insecure attachments with negative internal representations. This study aimed to explore changes in their internal representations over a one-year period, as well as potential factors that could influence them. Authors: Hillman, S., Villegas, C., Anderson, K., Kerr-Davis, A., & Cross, R. (2022).

This study explores perspectives of foster carers working at one UK-based independent fostering agency, Five Rivers Child Care (FRCC). Authors: Hillman, S., Anderson, K., Demetri, C., & Cross, R. (2022).

This study seeks to further elucidate the internal worlds of sexually abused 'looked-after' children using quantitative and psychodynamic qualitative methods. Authors: Mackin, J., Hillman, S., Cross, R., & Anderson, K. (2021).

This study aimed to explore the manifestations and correlates of dissociation amongst a sample of primary school-aged children looked-after children in the care of their local authority. Authors: Martin, H., Hillman, S., Cross, R., & Anderson, K. (2022).

This study presents the feasibility and pilot evaluation of the Reflective Fostering Programme, a recently developed, group-based program to support foster carers, based on the concept of 'reflective parenting'. Authors: Midgley, N., Cirasola, A., Austerberry, C., Ranzato, E., West, G., Martin, P., Redfern, S., Cotmore, R., & Park, T. (2019).