Disinhibited social engagement behaviour and attachment in clinically-referred preschool children

Background: Recent studies have contributed to distinguish Disinhibited Social Engagement Behaviour (DSEB) from the concept of attachment. However, some authors relying on rare studies that have observed a link between DSEB and insecure attachment in young children suggest that DSEB may still be associated to insecure mother-child attachment in early childhood. To date, very few studies have documented this association among children living with their biological mother and none from children referred to an outpatient mental health clinic sample. Objective: The aim of this exploratory study was to assess whether mother-child insecure attachment is related to DSEB in clinically-referred children. Method: Twenty-nine children (23-71 months old) and their mother participated to this study. DSEB and child attachment were assessed during a separation-reunion procedure with a stranger. Results: Greater DSEB scores were related to more insecure-disorganized/ controlling and less secure attachment behaviours. Conclusion: These results are consistent with previous studies that have showed a significant link between insecure mother-child attachment and the presence of DSEB in young children living in high psychosocial risk families.