Research Library

Brief review of the neuroscientific findings that illuminate whether and how adverse early caregiving experiences impact on brain development and poor socioemotional outcomes in children in care, and how such evidence informs our understanding of attachment outcomes in this population.

In this paper, we investigated what was the most accurate way of understanding the structure of psychopathology in a Brazilian sample (i.e., 'is psychopathology a unique factor that explains all psychopathological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and antisocial disorders? Or are those conditions actually different categories/problems?').

This trial is the first experimental study of a family therapeutic intervention based on attachment theory for foster families within the Scandinavian context. Authors: Thorup Dalgaard, N., Villumsen, A.M.A., Sørensen, K.M., Midgley, N., Væver, M.S., Almlund M., & Pontoppidan, M. (2023).

The purpose of this study is to describe the development of the 14-item reflective fostering fidelity rating (RFFR), an observational rating system to evaluate model fidelity of group facilitators in the Reflective Fostering Programme (RFP), a mentalisation-based psychoeducation programme to support foster carers. Authors: Midgley, N., Cirasola, A., Sprecher, E.A., Redfern, S., Wright, H., Rider, B. & Martin, P. (2023).

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).

We tested to what extent positive experiences were associated with depressive symptoms in adolescence among those who were previously exposed to intimate partner violence. Parental intimate partner violence experienced in childhood was associated with more depressive symptoms at age 18. Most positive experiences, such as relationships with parents, teachers, peers, school enjoyment, were linked with fewer depressive symptoms at age 18. Authors: Gondek, D., Feder, G., Howe, L. D., Gilbert, R., Howarth, E., Deighton, J., Lacey, R. E. (2023).

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).

This review critically evaluates empirical studies examining psychological mediators of the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and subsequent depression. Authors: Li, E., Luyten, P., & Midgley, N. (2020).