Can attachment theory help nurses to understand challenging behaviour in people with learning disability? Gary Watt and Richard Brittle consider the features of attachment theory and suggest that it may shed light on maladaptive coping strategies

This article examines how an understanding of attachment theory can be helpful when trying to respond to incidents of challenging behaviour. Attachments can underpin a therapeutic alliance but can also be detrimental to a client’s well-being. Much, however, depends on perspective, and, perhaps inevitably, it is generally the carer’s judgements about the behaviour of people with learning disabilities that predominate. An understanding of attachment theory can help us to analyse behaviour, and help in the formulation of treatment approaches.