L’intervention auprès des personnes contrevenantes présentant des difficultés sur le plan de l’attachement
Attachment style can influence behaviour as well as the perceptions that people have about themselves and others. In adulthood, there are four main attachment styles: secure, detached, preoccupied and fearful. Several difficulties may arise from a non-secure attachment. A significant proportion of offenders, particularly sex offenders and domestic violence offenders, are reported to have attachment difficulties. Thus, it appears important that clinicians take into consideration these difficulties when working with these individuals. The main objective of this report is to provide a critical analysis of the scientific documentation on the assessment tools designed to evaluate the attachment style presented by adult offenders and on the intervention strategies that should be fostered in a clinical context with adult offenders who have attachment difficulties. This project was carried out as part of an internship completed at the Department of Correctional Professionals Services (DCPS Montreal Southwest). Electronic and printed resources were consulted to obtain an overview of what has been published so far on the subject. In light of the scientific literature, interventions providing a secured environment from which the person could explore past and present feelings, thoughts and attachment experiences and find new ways to deal with negative emotions should be promoted. However, there are few resources on the empirical validation of interventions targeting adult offenders with attachment difficulties. The development of empirically validated intervention strategies targeting adult offenders with attachment difficulties appears essential for an optimal integration of attachment theory into the criminological practice.
Intervention Attachment Adults Offenders Assessment Intervention