NCJ Number
177059
Journal
Forensic Examiner Volume: 8 Issue: 3/4 Dated: March/April 1999 Pages: 19-24
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines the relationship of attachment disorder and antisocial personality to murder and other violent acts committed by children.
Abstract
A neglectful, abusive, or nonresponsive caregiving environment produces out-of-control, angry, depressed, and hopeless children by 2 to 3 years of age. Attachment disordered children have frequent and prolonged temper tantrums, are impulsive and accident prone, desperately seek attention and display many of the key symptoms and traits of the adult psychopathic and antisocial personality. One researcher has described such children as "violent psychopaths in training." Solutions to the problems of attachment disorder in families, the child welfare system and society include: (1) attachment focused assessment and diagnosis; (2) specialized training and education for caregivers; (3) treatment for children and caregivers which facilitates secure attachment; and (4) early intervention and prevention programs for high-risk families. Effective treatment involves creating secure attachment patterns; systemic, holistic and integrative interventions; and using a developmental structure. References