Reactive attachment disorder in the general population: a hidden ESSENCE disorder

Pritchett, R., Pritchett, J., Marshall, E., Davidson, C. and Minnis, H. (2013) Reactive attachment disorder in the general population: a hidden ESSENCE disorder. Scientific World Journal, 2013, Art. 818157. (doi: 10.1155/2013/818157)

Abstract

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a severe disorder of social functioning. Previous research has shown that children with RAD may have poor cognitive and language abilities; however, findings mainly come from biased, institutionalised samples. This paper describes the characteristics of all children who were given a suspected or likely diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder in an epidemiological study of approximately 1,600 children investigating the prevalence of RAD in the general population. We found that children with RAD are more likely to have multiple comorbidities with other disorders, lower IQs than population norms, more disorganised attachment, more problem behaviours, and poorer social skills than would be found in the general population and therefore have a complex presentation than can be described as ESSENCE. We discuss the clinical and educational implications.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Minnis, Professor Helen and Jamieson, Miss Claire and Pritchett, Miss Rachel
• Authors: Pritchett, R., Pritchett, J., Marshall, E., Davidson, C., and Minnis, H.
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Scientific World Journal
• Publisher: Scientific World
• ISSN: 1537-744X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Scientific World Journal 2013:818157
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
51498	1	Pilot for a study to establish prevalence of mental health problems, including Reactive Attachment Disorder, in East Glasgow Primary Schools	Helen Minnis	Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHHD-CSO)	CZG/2/441	IHW - MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING