Attachment disorders versus more common problems in looked after and adopted children: comparing community and expert assessments
A review of 100 consecutive specialist-service referrals compared community descriptions with expert assessments of looked-after and adopted children. Attachment disorders were identified substantially more often in community referrals, while common neurodevelopmental and conduct problems were identified less often. The study examines differences in diagnostic descriptions across services.
Limitations: Mixed adopted and looked-after clinical sample; findings are not adoption-specific prevalence estimates. Records and professional assessments supplied the evidence. Referral selection and differences in assessment methods limit generalisation. Researchers examined assessments within the National Adoption and Fostering Service, a specialist NHS mental-health service.
- Research type
- Clinical case-note review
- Source reviewed
- Abstract
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Age group
- Mixed
Study context and review
Age group as recorded: mixed
Adoption context: Adoption from care
Programme: National Adoption and Fostering Service clinical assessment studies
Institutional context: Adoption-sector service evaluation
Researchers examined assessments within the National Adoption and Fostering Service, a specialist NHS mental-health service.
Relationship identified. Bibliographic relationships are not a bias or safety rating.
Topics: attachment, mental health, neurodivergence
Review scope: Source checked: Abstract. This does not imply full-text or independent human verification.
Country as recorded: England
- Funding
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Commissioner
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Funder role
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Declared conflicts
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Recruitment
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Adoptee involvement
- Not yet checked for this entry
Entry: study_90589121247b9f05