Attachment- and family systems-based intervention in developmental psychopathology

A brief treatment protocol for pediatric psychogenic pain conditions is presented, based on attachment and family systems theories and on the following principles of developmental psychopathology: commonality of developmental principles, developmental pathways, continuity and change in disorders of development, and disorders of development as reflecting competence-based strategies. Some principles of intervention based on this integrated model are presented, followed by an outline of the treatment protocol. Of 19 families who participated in the 4-day program, 17 had children who remained symptom-free on 6-month follow-up. Alternative family developmental pathways for pediatric psychogenic pain conditions are proposed as well as some directions for future research.