Liz Randolph, Ph.D.

For years many of us have repeatedly been asked for research proof of the effectiveness of attachment therapy. Until recently we have only been able to answer with anecdotal reports of how well children are functioning after receiving attachment therapy. Now, however, two studies have shown statistically significant reductions in a variety of behavior problems as a result of attachment therapy. Dr. Robin Myeroff compared scores on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Aggressive Behavior (AGG) and Delinquent Behavior (DLQ) scales in two groups of attachment disordered children; one that received two weeks of intensive attachment therapy at IACD, and a control group. Although there were only 12 children in the treatment group, and 11 in the control group, Dr. Myeroff found significant decreases in parent’s ratings on both the AGG and DLQ scales four weeks after the intensive was completed. No changes were seen in the behavior of children who did not receive attachment therapy.

Dr. Myeroff is continuing to collect data on these children to determine if the positive changes that were evident four weeks after the intensive were still in evidence two months and four months later. She also plans to look at children’s scores on the other CBCL scales, and to compare the impact of attachment therapy on both internalizing (anxiety/depression, somatization) and externalizing (acting-out) behavior problems.

A second study conducted by IACD investigated changes in CBCL scores for children who remain in the extended care program at IACD after completing the two-week intensive. Again, despite a small number of subjects (13 in the six-month group, and 10 in the one-year group), statistically significant decreases were found on four out of the eight CBCL sub-scales; Anxiety/Depression (ADP), Thought Problems (TGT), Delinquent Behavior (DLQ), and Aggressive Behavior (AGG). TGT and ADP showed the greatest improvements after both six months and one year of treatment, but DLQ and AGG scores also showed significant improvement, indicating that attachment therapy is effective in treating both internalizing and externalizing problems in attachment disordered children.

Both of these studies have limitations, primarily due to the small group size, but also because the IACD study lacked a control group. Efforts are currently underway at IACD to conduct a larger outcome study that examines a variety of aspects of psychological functioning that can be affected by attachment therapy, and that has a control group. In addition, outcome research is also being done at the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio, and under the auspices of ATTACh. Stay tuned to future editions of ATTACHMENTS for more information.

In the meantime, the next time someone asks you what research proof there is for the effectiveness of attachment therapy, hand them a copy of this article! In addition, a brief, but more complete report of the results of both of these studies is available from IACD. Contact our office to obtain a free copy (plus shipping charges) of Does Attachment Therapy Work? Results of Two Preliminary Studies by Robin Myeroff, Ph.D. and Liz Randolph, Ph.D.