A systemic approach to resilience following child maltreatment: the role of attachment and coping styles

Thakordas, Vicky (2015). A systemic approach to resilience following child maltreatment: the role of attachment and coping styles. University of Birmingham. Foren.Psy.D.

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Abstract

Child maltreatment is a pervasive societal concern that has affected countless young people, families, communities and nations with detrimental effects at the physical, psychological, neurobiological and social levels. Despite exposure to chronic adversity, a remarkable number of individuals are able to display resilience and demonstrate positive adaptation following their experience of trauma.
This thesis aims to examine the impact of attachment and coping styles in the context of resilience following child maltreatment utilising a systemic framework. Chapter One provides an overview of the theoretical literature relating to resilience, attachment, coping and child maltreatment. Chapter Two explores the construct of resilience and critiques the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC; Connor & Davidson, 2003) as one of the few standardised measures of resilience. This measure focuses on assessing internal factors that promote positive adaptation following adversity with little attention given to external or systemic drivers in the resilience building process. In order to understand the protective role of attachment and coping and its impact upon resilience at multiple levels of functioning, Chapter Three presents a systematic review that explores the literature on the effects of attachment and/or coping styles on resilience following child maltreatment within the framework of a socio-ecological approach with a particular emphasis on female experiences. Chapter Four presents an empirical paper exploring the impact of multiple maltreatment experiences (victimisation, perpetration and abuse types) upon attachment, coping and resilience with an exclusively female sample. Chapter Five summarises the conclusions and limitations from all the chapters in the thesis discussion.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Foren.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Foren.Psy.D.

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