Attachment styles and people with intellectual disabilities

• Main Author: Pearson, Tanya
• Published: University of Birmingham 2013
• Subjects: 150; BF Psychology
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.583183

This thesis comprises two chapters. The first chapter is a systematic review and synthesis of the literature on the relationship between attachment style and challenging behaviour in people with developmental disabilities (DD). From seven identified papers, which include correlational and intervention studies, the findings show that there is limited evidence to suggest that there is a relationship between attachment style and challenging behaviour in people with DD. The second chapter of the thesis is a quantitative study, which examines whether young adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) can be taught about early attachment behaviours between parents and infants using a DVD. Based on a within-subjects research design, sixteen participants with ID took part in three conditions: pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow up. The intervention comprised an adapted 'Attachment in Practice DVD' (Siren Films, 2009) and a booklet summarising the content of the DVD. Knowledge and understanding of attachment behaviours was measured using seven semi-structured interview questions developed by the authors. The findings show that young adults with ID can be taught about attachment behaviours using a DVD. However, retaining this information over a period of two weeks was challenging for the participants. Strategies to help people with ID retain this information are discussed.