Skip to main content
Log in

Treatment of Complex Trauma in Young Children: Developmental and Cultural Considerations in Application of the ARC Intervention Model

  • Interpersonal Traumatic Events
  • Published:
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Attachment, Self Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Framework is a theoretically grounded, evidence-informed, promising practice used to treat complex trauma in children and adolescents. This article introduces the ARC model and describes its application with young children of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds involved in the child protection system due to maltreatment. Examination of the clinical application of the ARC model with this population underscores the importance of grounding child complex trauma treatment in the caregiving system. Strategies for successful clinical intervention are identified, with attention devoted to cultural and systemic resources to advance the treatment process. This article presents preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the ARC model derived from program evaluation conducted at a community-based clinic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aboud, F. E., & Doyle, A. (1993). The early development of ethnic identity and attitudes. In M. Bernal & G. Knight (Eds.), Ethnic identity: Formation and transmission among Hispanics and other minorities (pp. 47–60). Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. (2001). Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6–18. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T., & Rescorla, L. (2000). Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 11/2-5. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alink, L., Cicchetti, D., Kim, J., & Rogosch, F. (2009). Mediating and moderating processes in the relation between maltreatment and psychopathology: Mother-child relationship quality and emotion regulation. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37, 831–843.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson, J., & Lamar, R., (2009). Alaska Child Trauma Center Summary Report. University of Alaska Anchorage, AK: Center for Human Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beeghly, M., & Cicchetti, D. (1994). Child maltreatment, attachment, and the self system: Emergence of an internal state lexicon in toddlers at high social risk. Development and Psychopathology, 6, 5–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blaustein, M., & Kinniburgh, K. (2007). Intervening beyond the child: The intertwining nature of attachment and trauma. British Psychological Society Briefing Paper, 26, 48–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaustein, M., & Kinniburgh, K. (2010). Treating traumatic stress in children and adolescents: How to foster resilience through attachment, self-regulation, and competence. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaustein, M., Kinniburgh, K., Carew, N., Peterson, M., Abbott, D., & Spinazzola, J. (2010). Pilot evaluation of ARC treatment framework. Unpublished manuscript

  • Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briere, J. (1996). Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children- Alternate Version. Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cicchetti, D., Rogosch, F., & Toth, S. (2006). Fostering secure attachment in infants in maltreating families through preventive interventions. Development and Psychopathology, 18, 623–649.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, A., Spinazzola, J., Ford, J., Lanktree, C., Blaustein, M., Cloitre, M., et al. (2005). Complex trauma in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35, 390–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodvin, R., Meyer, S., Thompson, R., & Hayes, R. (2008). Self-understanding in early childhood: Associations with child attachment security and maternal negative affect. Attachment and Human Development, 10, 433–450.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hesse, E., & Main, M. (2006). Frightened, threatening, and dissociative parental behavior in lowrisk samples: Description, discussion, and interpretations. Development and Psychopathology, 18, 309–343.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kinniburgh, K., & Blaustein, M. (2005). Attachment, self-regulation, and competency: A comprehensive framework for intervention with complexly traumatized youth. A treatment manual. Boston, MA: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinniburgh, K., Blaustein, M., Spinazzola, J., & van der Kolk, B. (2005). Attachment, self-regulation & competency: A comprehensive intervention framework for children with complex trauma. Psychiatric Annals, 35, 424–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinniburgh, K., Spinazzola, J., Gabowitz, D., & Blaustein, M. (2010). Developing and implementing trauma-informed programming in two residential settings using the ARC framework. Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kopp, C. (1982). Antecedents of self-regulation: A developmental perspective. Developmental Psychology, 18(2), 199–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larrieu, J. A., & Bellow, S. M. (2004). Relationship assessment for young traumatized children. In J. D. Osofsky (Ed.), Young children and trauma: Intervention and treatment (pp. 155–172). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, A., & van Horn, P. (2008). Psychotherapy with infants and young children: Repairing the effects of stress and trauma on early attachment. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., & Coatsworth, J. D. (1998). The development of competence in favorable and unfavorable environments: Lessons from research on successful children. American Psychologist, 53, 205–220.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, G. (1998). Attachment representations and representations of the self in relation to others: A study of preschool children in inner-city London. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 71(1), 57–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meins, E., Fernyhough, C., Russel, J., & Clark-Carter, D. (1998). Security of attachment as a predictor of symbolic and mentalising abilities: A longitudinal study. Social Development, 7(1), 1–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osofsky, J. (Ed.). (2004). Young children and trauma: Intervention and treatment. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, B., Hogan, L., & Marlin, S. (2000). Curiosity, pleasure, and play: A neurodevelopmental perspective. Retrieved from http://www.thegotomom.com/tips/curiosity.htm

    Google Scholar 

  • Phinney, J. S. (1990). Ethnic identity in adolescents and adults: Review of research. Psychological Bulletin, 108, 499–514.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pynoos, R., Rodriguez, N., Steinberg, A., Stuber, M., & Frederick, C. (1998). UCLA PTSD Index for DSM IV. Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Trauma Psychiatry Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadeh, A. (1996). Stress, trauma, and sleep in children. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 5, 685–700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheeringa, M. S., & Zeanah, C. H. (2001). A relational perspective on PTSD in early childhood. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 14, 799–815.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, B., Atkinson, L., & Tardif, C. (2001). Child-parent attachment and children’s peer relations: A quantitative review. Developmental Psychology, 37, 86–100.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schore, A. (2001a). Effects of a secure attachment on right brain development, affect regulation, and infant mental health. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22, 7–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schore, A. (2001b). The effects of early relational trauma on right brain development, affect regulation, and infant mental health development. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22, 201–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuder, M., & Lyons-Ruth, K. (2004). “Hidden trauma” in infancy: Attachment, fearful arousal, and early dysfunction of the stress response system. In J. Osofsky (Ed.), Young children and trauma (pp. 69–104). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shonk, S. M., & Cicchetti, D. (2001). Maltreatment, competency deficits, and risk for academic and behavioral maladjustment. Developmental Psychology, 37, 3–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spinazzola, J., Ford, J., Zucker, M., van der Kolk, B., Silva, S., Smith, S., et al. (2005). National survey of complex trauma exposure, outcome and intervention for children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35, 433–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toth, S., & Cicchetti, D. (1996). Patterns of relatedness, depressive symptomatology, and perceived competence in maltreated children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(1), 32–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). Alaska Child and Family Services Review. Retrieved from http://hss.state.ak.us/ocs/Publications/CFSRreport2009.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Vondra, J., Barnett, D., & Cicchetti, D. (1990). Self-concept, motivation, and competence among preschoolers from maltreating and comparison families. Child Abuse & Neglect, 14, 525–540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua Arvidson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Arvidson, J., Kinniburgh, K., Howard, K. et al. Treatment of Complex Trauma in Young Children: Developmental and Cultural Considerations in Application of the ARC Intervention Model. Journ Child Adol Trauma 4, 34–51 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1080/19361521.2011.545046

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19361521.2011.545046

Keywords

Navigation