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ADHD ; attachment ; externalizing behaviorproblems ; mentalization ; conduct disorder
Abstract:
Avoidant and disorganized attachment style in relationship with the primary caregiver and low level of caregiver’s mentalization skills are believed to be significant risk factors in the development of externalizing behavior problems in children. Most research concern these associations in early and middle childhood in a general population. There is little research concerning attachment, mentalization and child’s psychosocial functioning in late childhoodan in a clinical population. A sample of 39 mother – child dyads participated in the study. The main inclusion criterion was child’s difficulties associated with aggressive and rule-breaking behaviors, impulsivity and hyperactivity, as well as age of child (7 – 10 years). Both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis were applied in the study. The conducted analysis showed that the majority of mothers, whose children suffer from externalizing behavior problems, have low mentalization skills. Lower levels of maternal mentalization skills are associated with higher severity of externalizing problems in child, as well as problems in social functioning. The analysis showed correlations between maternal perceptions of a quality of relationship with her father and level of externalizing problems in her child. The analysis revealed associations between maternal reflective function and her perception of relationships in her fam ; ily of origin and also with her educational level. It can be concluded that attachment and mentalization are important context for understanding the development of externalization behavior problems in late childhood.
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Józefik, Barbara ; Janusz, Bernadetta