Child Development Reaction Paper
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Journal of Student Engagement: Education Matters
Volume 5 | Issue 1
Article 5
2015
Reactive attachment disorder in children: Impacts
on development, educational implications and the
need for secure attachment
Alexia Ohtaras
University of Wollongong, ao996@uowmail.edu.au
Follow this and additional works at: http://ro.uow.edu.au/jseem
Recommended Citation
Ohtaras, Alexia, Reactive attachment disorder in children: Impacts on development, educational
implications and the need for secure attachment, Journal of Student Engagement: Education Matters,
5(1), 2015, 28-38.
Available at:http://ro.uow.edu.au/jseem/vol5/iss1/5
Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library:
research-pubs@uow.edu.au
Reactive attachment disorder in children: Impacts on development,
educational implications and the need for secure attachment
Abstract
The early years of a child’s life are regarded as the most important, in the sense that encounters within infancy
tend to influence the child’s maturation. ‘Attachment’ is regarded as a prime contributor to the success or
inhibition of child development, making it a vital component of child–caregiver interactions. This paper
highlights the detrimental consequences that insecure attachment can have upon the maltreated child and
their personal development through focusing on reactive attachment disorder (RAD). RAD is recognised as a
clinical disorder that limits the child’s social abilities, emotional regulation and cognitive function.
Throughout this paper, RAD will be explored in terms of origin, characteristics, implications and educational
implications for children with the disorder, which will be framed within Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological
Model of Human Development. In accentuating the deleterious factors stemming from RAD, and ultimately
insecure attachment, the need for secure attachment is implied.
Keywords
reactive attachment disorder, attachment, Bronfenbrenner, Bioecological Model of Human Development,
educational implications, child development, RAD
This journal article is available in Journal of Student Engagement: Education Matters: http://ro.uow.edu.au/jseem/vol5/iss1/5
Journal of Student Engagement: Education matters
2015, 5 (1), 28–38
Reactive attachment disorder in children: Impacts on development,
educational implications and the need for secure attachment
Alexia Ohtaras
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences,
University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
The early years of a child’s life are regarded as the most important, in
the sense that encounters within infancy tend to influence the child’s
maturation. ‘Attachment’ is regarded as a prime contributor to the
success or inhibition of child development, making it a vital component
of child–caregiver interactions. This paper highlights the detrimental
consequences that insecure attachment can have upon the maltreated
child and their personal development through focusing on reactive
attachment disorder (RAD). RAD is recognised as a clinical disorder
that limits the child’s social abilities, emotional regulation and cognitive
function. Throughout this paper, RAD will be explored in terms of
origin, characteristics, implications and educational implications for
children with the disorder, which will be framed within
Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Model of Human Development. In
accentuating the deleterious factors stemming from RAD, and ultimately
insecure attachment, the need for secure attachment is implied.
Keywords: reactive attachment disorder; attachment; Bronfenbrenner;
Bioecological Model of Human Development; educational implications;
child development; RAD
Introduction
Development is an inescapable and ever-growing component of humanity that
operates on a multifaceted level, inclusive of cognitive, social and emotional
categories. There are multiple factors that influence the efficiency and effectiveness of
development making it a process of precision. Specifically, child development is
integral to predict the future behaviours, personality and intelligence of the child and,
thus, a substantial amount of emphasis is placed on elements that contribute to the
maturation of a child which, ultimately, mould their adolescence. In child
development, a key principle known as ‘attachment’ has surfaced and it is this process
that is actively involved in the success or inhibition of development within the child
(DeMulder et al., 2000). While secure attachment between the child and another can
pave the way for successful cognitive, social and emotional development, insecure
attachment can produce detrimental results for the child in these areas. Reactive
attachment disorder (RAD) is a potential consequence of insecure attachment that
ultimately affects the child’s ability to socially and emotionally engage with others,
while also having a substantial impact on cognitive ability. While RAD has many
unsolved mysteries, its causes and effects on development and educational
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Journal of Student Engagement: Education matters
2015, 5 (1), 28–38
implications remain well-researched and, through this, the importance of early, secure
attachment within children is heightened.
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD)
‘Attachment’ is a term used to describe the intricate connection of affection that binds
a child to their primary caregiver on a psychological level (Ainsworth & Bell, 1970;
Bowlby, 1969). This concept can be dated back to the works of John Bowlby and
Mary Ainsworth and their collaboration in the formation of attachment theory
(Ainsworth & Bell, 1970; Bowlby, 1969). Through the combination of developmental
psychology, ethology and evolution, Bowlby highlighted the significance of secure
proximity between an infant and primary caregiver and how, when the infant is
deprived of such proximity, a state of disorder arises within the child–caregiver
relationship (Bretherton, 1992). Through the evolutionary perspective, Bowlby
proposed that infants expressed attachment behaviours, such as crying and clinging,
toward their primary caregiver to signal an unfulfilled need (Bowlby, 1969). The
primary caregiver, in turn, feels responsible for resolving this need and, thus,
attachment is formed (Kennedy & Kennedy, 2004). One particular proposition made
by Bowlby is central to this paper – the neglect of such attachment behaviours, and
ultimately the infant’s needs, results in deprivation toward the child as well as a state
of disorder within the infant–primary caregiver relationship (Bowlby, 1969).
RAD is identified as a severe impairment of social relationships and
functioning (Pritchett et al., 2013) and has been positively correlated with experience
of insecure attachment types (Minnis et al., 2009). While insecure attachment between
child and caregiver may increase the child’s risk of developing psychosocial
difficulties, not all children with insecure attachment develop RAD (Hanson & Spratt,
2000). According to Richters and Volkmar (1994), cases of children who have
experienced insecure attachment at the hands of pathogenic care1 have surfaced,
however, a relation to RAD was not explicit. This paper, however, will focus on those
who have been diagnosed with RAD or have exhibited RAD behaviours as a result of
insecure attachment and pathogenic care. Two variants of the disorder have been
identified. Inhibited RAD accounts for a child who is detached socially and
emotionally, is resistant toward affection and does not display emotion easily
(Gleason et al., 2011; Pritchett et al., 2013). Disinhibited RAD includes the child
displaying ‘indiscriminant sociability’ (Gleason et al., 2011), that is, the child is not
highly selective in their choice of attachment figures and is more likely to express
attachment and friendliness toward a stranger than their own primary caregiver
(Gleason et al., 2011; Pritchett et al., 2013).
Characteristics
The question of addressing the two distinct types of RAD as separate disorders is
prominent within this area of research, however, this paper will adopt the position of
the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), in conceptualising RAD as
holistic and including both variants. RAD is usually developed before the age of five
and may be recognised as early as in the first month of life (Richters & Volkmar,
1
Where the child’s basic emotional, physical and/or psychological needs are not met, whether
through disregard or repeated changes in caregiver (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).
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Journal of Student Engagement: Education matters
2015, 5 (1), 28–38
1994). In addition to the briefly outlined attributes that distinguish the ‘inhibited’ and
‘disinhibited’ forms of RAD, this attachment disorder is seemingly laden with a
plethora of features that impact the child’s sociability. Maladaptive behaviours are
prominent within children diagnosed with RAD which make basic social interactions
a challenge or non-existent for these individuals. In a study conducted by Mukkades
et al. (2000), the symptoms of RAD were examined among a sample of 15 (nine boys,
six girls), with a mean age of 31.4 months. The prevalence of symptoms was also
observed and provided a detailed insight into the signals of RAD in children. Through
this study it was found that 80% of the sample showed restricted eye contact, 0%
reflected an interest in people, 0% searched for playmates and 66.7% expressed
hyperactive behaviour (Mukkades et al., 2000). Parker and Forrest (1993) also
compiled a list of characteristics of children diagnosed with RAD, including: cruelty
to others, inclusive of pets; being engrossed in gore, blood and fire; and engagement
with a concept known as ‘crazy lying’, in which the child lies despite knowing the
other person is aware of the truth.
Catalysts
While much controversy has surrounded RAD and its similarity to other disorders
such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), the one outstanding differentiation between them is the prominence of
pathogenic care. Pathogenic care is described as a primary caregiver’s persistent
neglect and dismissal of the child’s physical and emotional needs, encompassing that
of comfort and affection (Dahmen et al., 2012; Schwartz & Davis, 2006). Wiik et al.
(2011) found that of a group of 68 post-institutionalised children in middle school,
aged 8–11 years old, 22% expressed ADHD symptoms rather than pure ADHD. This
finding, therefore, suggests that ADHD may not directly result from pathogenic care.
Symptoms associated with ADHD are prevalent, however, which also heightens the
large percentage of misdiagnoses between RAD and ADHD as well as their
similarities. Dahmen et al. (2012) built on such a finding and illustrated the distinction
between pathogenic care causing pure ADHD and causing ADHD-like behaviours.
They concluded that those exposed to early pathogenic care and exhibiting ADHDlike behaviour were different from developing pure ADHD due to the fact that not all
the criteria for ADHD were fulfilled or these children exhibited behaviours that are
not representative of pure ADHD, such as indiscriminant friendliness (Dahmen et al.,
2012).
The characteristics of pathogenic care, according to Dahmen et al. (2012), are
inclusive of the continual change in primary caregivers. In a study conducted by
Smyke, Dumitrescu and Zeanah (2002), correlations between depriving environments
and patterns of disordered attachment were investigated. Three categories of children
were observed in the study: (1) 32 children aged 4–68 months living in a standard
care unit in a large institution in Romania (ST group); (2) 29 children aged 18–70
months living in the same institution under a pilot care unit (PI group); and (3), 33
toddlers aged 12–47 months who had never been institutionalised (NI group) (Smyke,
Dumitrescu & Zeanah, 2002). The study was conducted through interviews with the
primary caregivers of the children and responses were rated on a three-point scale
(Smyke, Dumitrescu & Zeanah, 2002). The results reflected that children in the ST
group expressed more signs of disorganised/disordered attachment than those within
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Journal of Student Engagement: Education matters
2015, 5 (1), 28–38
either the PI or NI groups, resulting from the children being unable to predict the
presence of their apparent preferred caregiver in such a setting due to staff scheduling
(Smyke, Dumitrescu & Zeanah, 2002). The ST group also provided the highest scores
on the RAD inhibited/withdrawn scale, heightening the connection between insecure
attachment and the potential to develop RAD (Smyke, Dumitrescu & Zeanah, 2002).
It was also found that children who had not been institutionalised (NI) expressed very
few behaviours associated with RAD (Smyke, Dumitrescu & Zeanah, 2002). This
study, thus, provides evidence that a continuum of caregiving exists, and where a
caregiver falls on this continuum has a significant impact on the child’s potential
development of RAD.
Some implications
Through the extensive research conducted on RAD, a number of implications existing
across the clinical sector have become increasingly evident. With recognition of RAD
as a serious disorder, it is integral that accurate diagnosis is given in order to focus on
the most appropriate and beneficial treatment methods for the child (Sheperis, RenfroMichel & Doggett, 2003). In a study conducted by McLaughlin, Espie and Minnis
(2010), a ten-point observation schedule was made specifically for school-aged
children aged 5–8 years, in an attempt to assist clinicians in the diagnosis of RAD, as
it is both over and under diagnosed which, in turn, can lead patients in a nonbeneficial direction in terms of treatment. Due to the common misdiagnosis of RAD,
the necessity for efficient diagnosis is accentuated. Accurate diagnosis is integral for
children and caregivers to seek out the appropriate treatment and advice to manage
the child’s situation.
While RAD is an independent disorder, studies have accentuated the highly
likely possibility of comorbidity. Comorbidity is defined as the simultaneous
occurrence of two or more disorders or diseases (Hanson & Spratt, 2000). The DSMIV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) outlines an underwhelming list of
symptoms associated with RAD (Stinehart, Scott & Barfield, 2012) and, ultimately,
fails to express the broad range of characteristics that, depending on the child, range
in intensity (Stinehart, Scott & Barfield, 2012). In doing so, the DSM-IV-TR
(American Psychiatric Association, 2000) also fails to detail the similarities of RAD
symptoms with those of other disorders, such as ADHD and conduct disorder, a key
overlooked issue that can lead to under diagnosis. Dozier et al. (1991) drew
connections between insecure attachment and increased susceptibility to developing a
psychiatric disorder. They found higher levels of insecure and dismissing-avoidant
attachment in their psychiatric sample, which consisted of 40 adults aged 21–51, in
comparison to their non-psychiatric sample, consisting of 40 adults aged 42–46
(Dozier et al., 1991; Kobak & Hazan, 1991). This study highlights psychiatric illness
as a top contender for being classified as comorbid with RAD. While pathogenic care
is a defining component of RAD etiology, it does not rid the child of the possibility of
developing comorbidity (Stinehart, Scott & Barfield, 2012).
The Bioecological Model of Human Development
The primary caregiver’s role is central to the establishment of a successful or
detrimental proximity, however, the Bioecological Model of Human Development,
while still valuing this concept, extends its barriers to cover the contextual factors that
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Journal of Student Engagement: Education matters
2015, 5 (1), 28–38
influence the relationship to be the way that it is. This model, proposed by Urie
Bronfenbrenner, captures how the characteristics of individuals and the context of
occurrence greatly influences proximal processes (Tudge et al., 2009). The key
component of this model lies within the PPCT framework (Process–Person–Context–
Time). The development of RAD can be placed within this PPCT framework to
further accentuate the role of the environment and the biological individual, and their
contribution to successful or detrimental attachment.
Process
The process component of the model refers to face-to-face interactions that form the
basis of and catalyse development (Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 2006; Tudge et al.,
2009). In relation to attachment, process is simply the human–human interaction that
occurs when the primary caregiver responds to his or her distressed child
(Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 2006). In the instance of RAD, however, there is limited
or no interaction between caregiver and the child in need. This comparative neglect,
in turn, influences the person who is, in this case, a maltreated child.
Person
Bronfenbrenner (2005) placed significant emphasis on the individual characteristics
each human possesses and the way in which they surface, given a specific social
context (Bronfenbrenner, 2005; Tudge et al., 2009). Within these characteristics is the
notion of the child forming an expectation of their primary caregivers due to the
recognition of similar characteristics, such as sex and skin colour (Tudge et al., 2009).
In the instance of RAD, the caregiver has neglected this innate expectation and thus,
the beginnings of a hindered attachment are fostered. In relation to the school context,
as the RAD child matures, the results of this insecure attachment become evident in
the child’s lack of motivation and drive to succeed.
Context
Context refers to the person’s operation within one of the four proposed ‘systems’ by
Bronfenbrenner: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem and macrosystem
(Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 2006). The microsystem refers to the child’s immediate
environment with which they have direct contact; the mesosystem serves as a tool that
creates links between the facets of the microsystem; the exosystem is comprised of
facets that indirectly impact the development of the child, such as parental
employment; the macrosystem is comprised of the societal values and norms, cultural
beliefs and political trends that influence the other systems (Swick & Williams, 2006).
For RAD children, their involvement with each of these systems is inextricably linked
with the process of maltreatment. A child with RAD would have experienced
maltreatment within the home environment (microsystem), with possible linkage to
causes in the exosystem, which has a direct impact on their social interactions and
academic capacity at school (mesosystem).
Time
A stable environment has the power to influence child development (Bronfenbrenner
& Morris, 2006). A subcategory of time, known as ‘microtime’, is the portion of time
that deals with the stability and instability present in process (Bronfenbrenner &
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Morris, 2006). Applying this to RAD can be seen in the way that RAD children
typically have unsettling, disjointed living conditions and arrangements, specifically,
infants within the foster care system. These children experience discontinuity in the
way that their primary caregivers are constantly swapped and they are continuously
placed within foreign home environments. This instability can be noted as a catalyst
for insecure attachment and pathogenic care that leads to the development of RAD.
Educational implications
Education is one of the most fundamental elements that impact a child’s development
in terms of cognition, sociability and emotion (Burger, 2010; Lee, 2013). In the case
of children with RAD, this educational experience is disrupted by the child’s lack of
trust and social skills. Interactions with others, perceptions of self and academic
capabilities are tarnished in the process.
Socio-emotional
Schemas are complex mental networks that organise and link related pieces of
information into logical categories (Arnold, 2010). A maladaptive schema is
described as the distorted mental connections between certain concepts and figures
based on an individual’s experience (Kellogg & Young, 2006). The foundation of the
student–teacher relationship is the child’s schematic knowledge about the basis and
operation of social interaction (Davis, 2003). In the case of RAD children, their prior
encounters with maltreatment may have been accommodated into their schematic
knowledge and thus, upon transitioning into the primary stages of schooling, the
teacher, who acts as a caregiver for the students, is met with an unemotional and
unresponsive student. This distortion of the concept of ‘caregiver’ parallels issues
with ‘basic trust’ – the notion where a child recognises a nurturing caregiver who will
always be available to help in times of distress (King & Newnham, 2008). A child’s
early experiences which are identified as disruptive and chaotic, such as the
pathogenic care experienced by those with RAD, equates to the child failing to form
accurate knowledge and expectation of what it is to be nurtured by a caregiver and,
thus, trust is absent or limited within the child (King & Newnham, 2008). This
distrust ultimately manifests and is projected toward other individuals, becoming
detrimental to the student–teacher attachment. Children with RAD are unable to cope
with restrictions placed on them from an authority figure (Sheperis, Renfo-Michel &
Doggett, 2003). This is of particular concern in a classroom setting, in the way that
numerous rules are placed upon the children for safety and disciplinary purposes –
resistance to complying with these may heighten RAD behaviours. On the opposite
end of the RAD spectrum, disinhibited RAD children may actually reflect greater
dependency on their teacher (Kobak et al., 2001).
Due to an inability to socialise in a way that adheres to the norm, RAD
children are susceptible to victimisation. Raaska et al. (2012) noted that children, aged
9–15, with RAD reported three times more accounts of bullying than non-RAD
children. Further, the victimisation was a result of the RAD children’s poor social
skills as well as evident learning difficulties and relatively low levels of
communication skills (Raaska et al., 2012). These social impairments experienced by
RAD children manifest into further complications associated with emotional
development which, in turn, place strain on the child’s educational experience.
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Secure attachment between child and caregiver assists the regulation of
emotional and arousal states (Schore, 2001). This regulation allows the child to
coherently respond to and cope with emotional and arousal regulation in high-stress
situations (Schore, 2001). Self-regulation is a core attribute necessary for the efficient
functioning within a school environment in the presence of other children (Schwartz
& Davis, 2006; Sroufe, 2000). The ongoing battle between opposing demands of
gratification and the incapacity for emotional and self-regulation leads RAD children
into states of anxiety, including low self-esteem and self-loathing (Schwartz & Davis,
2006).
Cognitive
Given the myriad of social and emotional impacts that RAD has on the child, there is
an interconnected effect on cognition. The apparent distinction between RAD and
non-RAD children inculcates RAD children with low self-worth (Pritchett et al.,
2013; Schwartz & Davis, 2006). This has a reciprocal effect on the children’s
academic motivation, decreasing it in an environment that should be enriching
children’s drive to succeed. Kocovska et al. (2012) studied the impact of early
maltreatment of children on neurodevelopment. In the study, 66 children, aged 5–12,
were observed, 34 adopted with a history of maltreatment before adoption and 32
children with no history of maltreatment and living with their biological families
(Kocovska et al., 2012). Through a battery of tests, such as the Wechsler Abbreviated
Scale of Intelligence and the Renfrew Language Scales, it was found that the scores of
the adopted/maltreated sample were significantly lower than that of the other sample
(Kocovska et al., 2012). Specifically, the adopted/maltreated sample reflected a mean
IQ that was 15 points lower than the comparison sample (Kocovska et al., 2012). A
prevalence of language disorders and delay were evident amongst the
adopted/maltreated group (Kocovska et al., 2012), which added to the children’s
cognitive hardship. In this case, intelligence testing, while controversial, has provided
an insight into the impact of maltreatment on a child’s neurodevelopment and how it
may minimise the chance for academic success.
Weinberg (2010) similarly drew links between early childhood maltreatment
and neurobiological alterations through a case study of a 12-year-old female who was
diagnosed with disinhibited RAD. This same child was diagnosed with a non-verbal
learning disorder, which can be related to disturbances impeding on the brain’s right
hemisphere (Dool, Fuerst & Rourke, 1995; Weinberg, 2010). Dool, Fuerst and Rourke
(1995) expand on this, stating that right-hemispheric function specialises in the
processing and execution of novel information and tasks. Infringements, therefore,
such as a history of abuse or maltreatment, can burden right-hemisphere functioning
and increase the possibility of developing further learning disabilities, such as nonverbal learning disorder, in addition to RAD (Dool, Fuerst & Rourke, 1995;
Weinberg, 2010). A child with insufficient right-hemisphere functioning, therefore,
can have great difficulty in trying to grasp foreign ideas and concepts proposed in the
classroom (Dool, Fuerst & Rourke, 1995), leaving them cognitively impaired to an
extent that affects their school functioning.
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Conclusion
Given the nature and influence of its existence, RAD is a concerning impairment on
sociability, emotion and cognition. While RAD is regarded as a rare and relatively
new disorder, its influences on aspects of child development are not as under-rated.
Through the study of the precursors and consequences of RAD, secure attachment
between an infant and their primary caregiver is recognised as crucial in assisting
successful and coherent development within the child. Confirmation of the severity of
RAD is evident through investigations, illustrating its placement of limitations on
children’s human–human interactions, negatively geared emotional states and
regulation and the link between maltreatment and cognition. This paper offers insight
into the lives of RAD children, shedding light on their prior and current
circumstances, their interpretations of certain situations and the way RAD influences
their behavioural actions and reactions. The direct and indirect external factors that
influence the development and exhibition of RAD are also heightened in placing it
within Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model. Despite the information provided
throughout the paper, RAD remains a disorder that is largely uncovered. The
evolution of knowledge associated with RAD, starting from the likes of Bowlby and
Ainsworth, is evident throughout research, however, unanswered questions remain.
Current research holds the promise of gradual future revelations of this currently
underemphasised disorder, which can impact parenting and child development.
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