Research Library

This study examines the relationship between levels of dissociation, several pre-placement factors and other background variables to facilitate the understanding of the high prevalence of dissociation in adolescents living in care.

This study assessed attachment representations in 28 Danish foster children (ages 4–10) using the Story Stem Assessment Profile (SSAP). Participants were enrolled in a trial comparing Mentalization-Based Family Therapy (MBT) to Care as Usual (CAU).

The present study aims to illustrate the process of developing, implementing, and clinically validating a new assessment measure, the Trauma and Adverse Life Events (TALE) screening tool, to assess Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among looked-after children.

This study examined the ASSP’s psychometric properties in a UK adolescent sample (N = 182), using exploratory factor analysis to identify underlying internal representation factors.

This study used the SSAP to compare internal representations in three child groups. Maltreated late-adopted children showed more disorganised, avoidant, and negative representations than early-adopted and non-adopted peers. Over two years, secure representations increased, while avoidant and disorganised ones decreased in both adopted groups.

This paper validated the BERRI, a new mental health and psycho-adjustment measure, identifying an eight-factor structure with strong validity and consistency for Children Looked After.

This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to establish the type and prevalence of mental health disorders and symptoms among children in residential care. The findings provide evidence that the prevalence of mental health disorders and symptoms are particularly high among children in residential care.

This study aimed to investigate the patterns of vulnerability to harm from external risk and risk to self among children living in residential care in England. Archival data collected routinely from residential care staff who complete the online BERRI Questionnaire about children in their care were used. Certain groups of children in residential care are vulnerable to different types of risk.

This discussion, presented at the 2023 International Congress on Mentalization-Based Treatments, highlights the integration of clinical practice and research in the Reflective Fostering Programme through a mentalizing conversation.