Attachment Theory Is A Close Secure Lasting Bond Between An Infant / Child And A Care Provider

In the earliest stages of development, emotions are diffuse and infants have little control over their behavioral expression, relying instead on the dyadic regulation provided by their caregivers’ responses to behavioral signals. Attachment disorders form in infancy and early childhood as a result of instability in the child-caregiver relationship. Attachment-disordered children typically have experienced abusive or neglectful care, multiple changes between caregivers and environments, or the sudden loss of a parent or parents.

Psychoanalyst, John Bowlby in the mid 19th hundreds, investigated attachment theory. Over the years, we have enhanced our understanding on how children attach to their primary caregiver earlier in life. Supported by attachment theory, infants have a window for the development of attachment to the primary caregiver, which, usually happens during the first months of life (Hardy, 2007). Given that Alexander’s parents’ left when he was only 3 months and was raised by his grandparents, it is no surprise that when he reunited with his parents, they felt like complete strangers to him, because they were not the ones meeting his needs early in life.

r care can prevent kids from forming healthy relationships and bonds with peers and adults if they constantly change foster homes. Multiple caregivers, abuse, neglect and abandonment can result in reactive attachment disorder, signified by strained relationships and a general lack of interested in socialization with others. The mental effects include distrust, and uncertainty in others, heightened by anxiety, fear and depression. Behavioral symptoms include avoidance of physical contact, straying from social interaction, remaining withdrawn, acting preoccupied or detached from people or activities, devoid of outward emotion and wanting to remain alone.

Attachment is a term used to describe the dependency relationship a child develops towards his or her primary caregivers. It is first observable during the latter half of the first year of life and develops progressively over the first four years of life. It is most readily observed in the behavior of children when they are sick, injured, tired, anxious, hungry or thirsty. Although early attachment research focused on the mother and infant, it is now generally accepted that children develop multiple attachment relationships. An ‘attachment figure’ is defined as someone who provides physical and emotional care has continuity and consistency in the child’s life, and who has an emotional investment in the child’s life. This can include parents (biological, foster, adopted), grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, and alternate caregivers (e.g. child-care workers). Given that children are able to form multiple attachments, the question has been asked as to which attachment relationship is most influential on children’s developmental outcomes.

Discusses the attachment principles in relation to infant/toddler care programs. Emphasizes a secure base for exploration of physical and social worlds, physical comfort, and child-teacher relationships. Concludes by describing the five major benefits of attention to attachment concepts for the infant care field in

Attachment theory proposes that the way infants and children form bonds with their primary caregiver have lifelong implications as to how they may form bonds with others, including their own children. This bonding is created through affectionate gestures, the ability to rely on the caregiver’s availability and willingness to fulfill the needs of the child, and the general feeling of safety when in the proximity of the caregiver. While the attachments begin as an infant they are malleable throughout life, and easier to form or transform the younger a person is (Strengths-Based Generalist Practice A Collaborative Approach, Poulin, 2010, pp. 580-581).Victoria was in foster care from birth and had not received the ideal responses required of her caregiver. In the case of Victoria she was relocated from placement to placement often, and experienced a variety of abuses and neglect, these characteristics are indicative of someone with an avoidant attachment style. Attachments may become avoidant resulting in the child’s reluctance to put themselves in a position to be forsaken repeatedly by the unapproachability of the caregiver (Dimensions of Human Behavior Person and Environment, Hutchison, 2015, p. 150). Victoria exemplifies this repeatedly throughout the book in the fact that she refuses to rely on any caregiver, in the specific case of her placement with Elizabeth she refuses to believe that there would be any permanency. “I did not believe there to be even the

According to attachment theory, quality attachment relationships have the ability to teach infants and children to tolerate states of arousal, explore the surrounding environment, and manage emotions in developmentally appropriate ways (source). An infant’s ability to survival and development is dependent on a suitable caregiver. This theory suggests that attachment behaviors are biologically based, as the cry of an infant is a signal to the attachment figure to respond to the infant. Attachment experiences are significant for the development of a variety of skills and capacities, including social competence, problem-solving, motivation, capacity for empathy, the ability to form friendships, and the ability to rely on other adults when necessary (source). Internalized working model is a concept of attachment theory. An internalized working model refers to a child’s inner representation of attachment experience and interaction with the attachment figure. If the child had a responsive caregiver their internalized working model will provide them with a sense of self as lovable and worthy. If the child had an unresponsive caregiver then their internalized working model may provide them with a sense of self as being unlovable or unworthy (source). In addition, attachment theory also provides attachment classifications based on the attunement and responsiveness of the dyadic relationship between the caregiver and infant.

A child with disorganized-disoriented attachment may seem dazed and detached when the parent leaves but also have outburst of anger and seem fearful when they return. This behavior is mostly seen in children who have suffered neglect or abuse, or with autism and down

It has been shown that the relationships infants develop early on in life have lasting effects on their identity and behavior. Extensive research has indicated that the relationship between an infant and its caregivers is particularly important.

John Bowlby, who originally developed the theory of attachment, describes it as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” (Somerville, 2009). Furthermore, there are four main characteristic of infant attachment, proximity maintenance, safe haven, secure base, and separation distress. Proximity maintenance is the desire to stay close to the people we have formed an attachment. Safe haven refers to the action of returning to the attachment figure for comfort and safety when danger or fear is present. A secure base is a place where the attachment figure acts as a base of security from which a child can explore the surrounding world. Separation distress is the anxiety that occurs when the attachment figure is absent (Cherry, 2011).

Attachment can be defined as “an emotional tie with another person, shown in young children by seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation” (Myers, 1998). Early bonding experiences have a significant impact on the developing child and achieving a positive bond is essential to the child’s overall well being later in life. The relationship formed between caregiver and child acts as a template for all subsequent relationships.

Attachment Theory is usually where a child bonds with their mother (caregiver) the emotional bond enables them to connect to a person. Conversely the bond may not be mutual for example the infant maybe attached with their caregiver this usually is their mother but the mother may not knowledge the same emotional bond to the child according to Bowlby 1969 and Ainsworth 1973. Having the bond between them it is known to have healthy attachment relationships, building a good mental health as they grow into adults. The attachment they was established by the British D John Bowlby. Bowlby stated that the bonds of relationships tend to form at the earliest ages giving the child a better chance to of surviving in the world. General the caregiver would provide their infants with basic needs to develop this then creates the infant to feel sense of secure bond and become dependable towards their caregiver according to Bowlby 2005, p151.

Stages of attachment. Another of Bowlby’s contributions is his proposal that the infant’s attachment to caregiver develops in stages attuned to the infant’s cognitive and emotional development. As described by Broderick & Blewitt (2015), a bond emerges from the affect between mother and child in the first two months as the infant signals their needs by clinging, smiling, and crying. During this stage infants are not yet attached to anyone and do not discriminate between caregivers. Between their second and eighth month, infants become increasingly preferential of one caregiver, most often the mother. The primary indicator of the emerging attachment is whether or not the 7-8 month-old infant protests when separated from their caregiver, and whether they greet the caregivers return with happiness. Soon thereafter, the infant should begin to develop additional attachments with their fathers, grandparents, babysitters etc. By 18 months most infants are attached to multiple caregivers (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015, p. 135).

Attachment is the foundation for a strong relationship between caregivers and children. Children usually become attached to the person who cares for them most often during their first year of life. There is secure and insecure attachment which can affect a child and their future.

Attachment theory is a positive emotional bond that develops between a child and a caregiver. When an infant develops affection to their mother only because they are the ones who provide food which is a reinforcement. Although attachment theory is more than just nourishment. ( cont)