Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
William L. Vales
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attachment breaks, attachment relationships, attachment theory, attachment-related issues, behavior assessment, children, class behavior, data analysis, death, divorce, disruptive attachment, disruptive behavior, foster placements, high schools, Internet, knowledge base for teaching, middle schools, monthly workshops, multiple foster placements, primary caregivers, secondary school teachers, student behavior, teacher education, teacher knowledge, teachers, training workshops, youth behavior
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to provide knowledge of attachment theory to secondary teachers in middle schools and high schools. Teachers were working with students who were displaying behaviors caused by student disruptive attachment to a primary caregiver. However, the teachers, not aware of attachment theory, misinterpreted the reason for the disruptive class behavior and associated the behavior with the behaviors of students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The writer developed a series of monthly workshops that middle school teachers attended. The workshops focused on the following topics: attachment theory, children’s multiple foster placements, and the effects of multiple foster placements, death, and divorce on student-attachment relationships. Teachers were encouraged to ask questions during the workshops and then to use the information on attachment before concluding why students were disruptive.
An analysis of the data revealed that middle school teachers were not likely to be trained in attachment theory or attachment-related issues. However, after the teachers had studied attachment theory and relevant attachment information prepared especially for them, they applied this information by more accurately assessing student disruptive behavior associated with attachment breaks.