Exploring attachment representations and traumatic reenactment in foster children.

Foster children face an elevated risk of behavioral and mental health challenges, often stemming from early adversities such as abuse, neglect, or parental incapacity. This study examined attachment representations in 28 Danish foster children aged 4–10 years, assessed using the Story Stem Assessment Profile (SSAP). Participants were enrolled in a trial comparing Mentalization-Based Family Therapy (MBT) to Care as Usual (CAU). Foster children exhibited higher levels of attachment disorganization compared to a community sample (t(27) = 2.474, p = .019). Post-intervention assessments showed improvements over time, including increased attachment security (z = -3.23, p = .001) and reduced disorganization (z = -2.82, p = .005). Age and gender differences in attachment constructs emphasized the need for age- and gender-specific norms to enhance the SSAP’s research and clinical utility. SSAP narratives were also coded for content reflecting the children’s personal experiences to explore the intersection of their attachment representations and lived experiences. Fifteen children included narrative content of personal experiences within their attachment narratives, offering qualitative insights. These findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions and further investigation into attachment processes among foster children.