Assessing reactive attachment disorder screening tools in foster care children: a comparative study

Abstract

Although foster care was created as a safeguard for children in difficult circumstances, it is often associated with negative impacts on their relationships, development, and overall mental health. Those children placed into foster care often have experienced trauma early in life, putting their pivotal early attachment at risk and thus increasing their risk of developing attachment disorders such as reactive attachment disorder (RAD). For many years, researchers have repurposed mental health assessment tools for application in screening for RAD. Recently, researchers have begun to develop and trial tools using the RAD diagnostic criteria to screen for RAD. However, there is a need for more research on applying these screening techniques within the foster care population. This thesis aims to evaluate and compare screening instruments for Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) in young foster care children to improve early identification and reliability. This proposal adopts a cross-section design to investigate and evaluate the use of three RAD specific screening instruments in young foster care children: the Reactive Attachment Disorder Checklist (RAD-C), Reactive Attachment Disorder Questionnaire (RAD-Q), and Reactive Attachment Disorder Screening Instrument (RADSI). The study reinforces the conclusion that targeted screening tools designed explicitly for RAD can lead to more accurate and early identification of symptoms in this population. Consequently, the improved ability to identify RAD in foster care children can lead to earlier intervention and support, ultimately aiming to improve long-term outcomes.