Author: Alli    DellaMattera

Major: Sociology

Graduation Year: 2018

Thesis Advisor: Karyn Sporer

Description of Publication: The purpose of this thesis is to propose a training workshop, called “Attachment Theory Workshop and Self-Paced Refresher Training.” The goal of this training is to increase attachment between caregivers and trauma-impacted children in Sierra Leone. Prior to presenting this training, this thesis first reviews both psychological and sociological perspectives of attachment, with a focus on classical attachment theory. Next, from a sociological lens, I examine the significance of culture and attachment. Then, I contextualize the current status of Sierra Leone, including, the traumas the country has faced, and how attachment is affected by such traumas. To better implement the proposed training workshop, this thesis includes a literature review of evidence-based practices that have been used to increase attachment within traumatized populations. In particular, I summarize past interventions that have been shown to increase child-to-caregiver attachment. With those interventions in mind, I next provide a detailed account of the training workshop to be implemented and tested in Sierra Leone. I conclude with a discussion on the principles used in the “Attachment Theory Workshop and Self-Paced Refresher Training” and how they compare to those used in evidence-based practices used in other samples and populations.

Location of Publication:

URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/329