Attachment goes to court: child protection and custody issues
Forslund, Tommie
Stockholm University
Granqvist, Pehr
Stockholm University
van IJzendoorn, Marinus H.
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Sagi-Schwartz, Avi
University of Haifa
Glaser, Danya
University of London
Steele, Miriam
The New School
Hammarlund, Marten
Stockholm University
Schuengel, Carlo
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Steele, Howard
The New School
Shaver, Phillip R.
University of California System
Lux, Ulrike
German Youth Inst
Simmonds, John
British Assoc Adopt & Fostering Coram Corambaaf
Jacobvitz, Deborah
University of Texas System
Groh, Ashley M.
University of Missouri System
Bernard, Kristin
State University of New York (SUNY) System
Cyr, Chantal
University of Quebec
Hazen, Nancy L.
University of Texas System
Foster, Sarah
Northumbria University
Psouni, Elia
Lund University
Cowan, Philip A.
University of California System
Pape Cowan, Carolyn
University of California System
Rifkin-Graboi, Anne
Agency for Science Technology & Research (A*STAR)
Wilkins, David
Cardiff University
Pierrehumbert, Blaise
University of Lausanne
Tarabulsy, George M.
Laval University
Wang, Zhengyan
Capital Normal University
Liang, Xi
Fahrenheit Universities
Kazmierczak, Maria
Fahrenheit Universities
Pawlicka, Paulina
Fahrenheit Universities
Ayiro, Lilian
Maseno University
Chansa, Tamara
University of Zambia
Sichimba, Francis
University of Zambia
Mooya, Haatembo
University of Zambia
McLean, Loyola
University of Sydney
Verissimo, Manuela
Instituto Superior Psicologia Aplicada (ISPA)
Gojman-de-Millan, Sonia
Res Ctr Seminario Sociopsicoanalisis
Moretti, Marlene M.
Simon Fraser University
Bacro, Fabien
Nantes Universite
Peltola, Mikko J.
Tampere University
Galbally, Megan
Murdoch University
Kondo-Ikemura, Kiyomi
Teikyo University
Behrens, Kazuko Y.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Scott, Stephen
University of London
Rodriguez, Andres Fresno
Universidad de Talca
Spencer, Rosario
Universidad de Talca
Posada, German
Purdue University System
Cassibba, Rosalinda
Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro
Barrantes-Vidal, Neus
Autonomous University of Barcelona
Palacios, Jesus
University of Sevilla
Barone, Lavinia
University of Pavia
Madigan, Sheri
University of Calgary
Mason-Jones, Karen
University of California System
Reijman, Sophie
University of Cambridge
Juffer, Femmie
Leiden University - Excl LUMC
Pasco Fearon, R.
University of London
Bernier, Annie
Universite de Montreal
Cicchetti, Dante
University of Minnesota System
Roisman, Glenn I.
University of Minnesota System
Cassidy, Jude
University System of Maryland
Kindler, Heinz
German Youth Inst
Zimmermann, Peter
University of Wuppertal
Feldman, Ruth
Reichman University
Spangler, Gottfried
University of Erlangen Nuremberg
Zeanah, Charles H.
Yale University
Dozier, Mary
Tulane University
Belsky, Jay
University of Delaware
Lamb, Michael E.
University of California System
Duschinsky, Robbie
University of Cambridge
Journal
Anuario de Psicologia Juridica
ISSN
1461-6734
1469-2988
Open Access
hybrid
Volume
32
Start page
1
End page
52
Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. The article is divided into two parts. In the first, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child's need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments of attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration.