Systematic review and classification of: Circle of Security Virginia – Family Model (COS-VF, 2. ed.)

Authors

Helene Eng Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare - North, UiT The Arctic University of Norway https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8266-8551
Marte Rye Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare - North, UiT The Arctic University of Norway https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5253-4539
Stein Erik Ulvund Department of Education Universitetet of Oslo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2224-6269

DOI:

Keywords:

circle of security, attachment, parents, children, security belonging, autonomy, sense of security, family model, Systematic review

Abstract

Background: Circle of Security (COS), is a group of interventions designed to promote attachment between child and caregivers. The interventions focus primarily on the parent’s ability to understand the child’s basic need for security, belonging and autonomy so that the child's sense of security and self-understanding increases. This article describes the Circle of Security (COS) Virginia - Family Model (COS-VF), which is a therapeutic intervention targeting individual families. The intervention can be used when children have developed, or are at risk of developing, attachment problems. Implementation of the intervention in Norway is organized by the Regional Center for Children and Young People's Mental Health East and South (RBUP East and South).

Method: This review is based on a systematic literature search in the databases Embase, Medline, Psykinfo, NORART, Cochrane, Cristin, NORA, SCOPUS and SweMed. International databases on evidence have also been searched, as well as information about the intervention from the Norwegian provider. Literature searches and other information obtained were reviewed to identify Nordic effect studies, international systematic reviews, and other Norwegian studies of the intervention.

Results: The results in this paper consist of assessments of the intervention's description, available studies, and quality of implementation. COS-VF is considered to be satisfactorily described with a good theoretical foundation. However, there are no Nordic studies or international systematic reviews where the effects of the intervention have been investigated. This means that it is actually unclear whether COS-VF has an effect in relation to improving interaction patterns and promoting secure attachment. The intervention has a good implementation strategy, which makes it probable that the intervention is offered as intended in the services.

Conclusion: COS-VF is classified at evidence level 2 - Theoretically-based interventions.

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2020-02-13

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Eng, H., Rye, M., & Ulvund, S. E. (2020). Systematic review and classification of: Circle of Security Virginia – Family Model (COS-VF, 2. ed.). Ungsinn. Journal of Effective Interventions for Children and Adolescents, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.7557/25.7585

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Vol. 12 No. 1 (2020)

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Peer-reviewed Articles

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