Abstract
The present investigation asesses attachment patterns in institutionalized children
with conduct problems. In contrast, to previous designs which followed the
Ainsworth Strange Situation or the AAI procedures, this investigation uses DSM IV
criteria and the Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionaire . After obtaining
significant RADQ validity and confiability scores, it was found that 37,9% of the
children with behaviour problems met the DSM IV criteria for Reactive Attachment
Disorder and 20,7% met the diagnostic criteria for AD. Furthermore, the most frecuent attachment pattern was the Anxious type, (38,3 %). Finally, a review of the impact and limitations of the results is presented.