How Different Parenting Styles And Child Attachment Styles

The representations of attachment disorder in children include such thoughts as: “I am bad and unlovable,” “my caregiver will not protect me from traumatic experiences,” and I am not able to get my caregiver to “respond consistently to my needs”. These children view their caregivers as unreliable, unresponsive, rejecting, and threatening. They should be responded to with empathy and calm as a means to reduce their arousal, as opposed to anger and discipline which can heighten the adverse physiological and behavioral outcomes the child is experiencing.

Research has revealed that there is a strong relationship between insecure attachment and a history of abuse and neglect (Begle, Dumas & Hanson, 2010). Insecure attachments are formed due to parenting stress and abusive parenting behavior. Parenting stress and abusive parenting behavior form children’s mental schemas of how the world works based upon early interactions with caregivers. These mental schemas construct their expectations about relationships. Ultimately

Attachment is the emotional bond between humans, which is based on our relationship with a parent or early caregiver during the years of childhood. There are four different attachment styles – secure, preoccupied, dismissive, and fearful – each describing a different way in which individuals interact with others, approach social and romantic relationships, and deal with life.

Those with Anxious-Ambivalent attachment styles did not have supportive father figures, and those with Avoidant attachment styles did not have a consistent level of care from their caregiver (Girme et al., 2015). This study also provided evidence that a high level of clear and purposeful care from a partner can be helpful to individuals with an avoidant attachment style (Girme et al., 2015). This information can be helpful to Chris and Sam, with Sam having an avoidant attachment style, she would benefit if Chris was able to provide the required level and clarity of support to Sam. Communication could be the main factor which could assist the pair in continuing the relationship (Reference

The importance of a healthy attachment in early childhood development can lead to a better adult development and skills for daily life. A secure and healthy attachment to the caregiver in infancy to adolescence showcases the importance of building strong relationships and coping skills during periods of stress and anxiety. The research that has been found, goes into detail about the different types of attachments that infants and children can develop as well as what negative and positive aspects come along with the attachments.

There are several different attachment styles. Secure is an attachment style when an individual feels confident and has trust in their relationship. Avoidant is an attachment style when an individual is unsure about getting into in a relationship. Anxious attachment style is where individuals demand closeness and have trust issues.

Goldwyn, R., Stanley, C., Smith, V., & Green, J. (2000). The Manchester Child Attachment Story Task: Relationship with parental AAI, SAT and child behavior. Attachment & Human Development, 2(1), 71-84. Doi:10.1080/146167300361327

To begin with attachment theory, first everyone should understand what the attachment is. According to attachment means bonding between a child and caregiver or vice versa. The attachment theory is the theory that describes the long term interpersonal relationship between the humans. Also, it can be defined as the strong bond between parent and child, and later in peer and romantic relationship (Metzger, Erdman, Ng 85). It generates a specific fact that how the humans react in relationships when they get hurt, separated from loved ones and perceiving a threat. Basically the two main types of attachment are secure and insecure. Secure attachment is the attachments where mother and father are available for their child and during that time child demonstrates his or her stress and reestablish the connection (Metzger, Erdman, Ng 87). Insecure attachment is the attachment where parents are not regularly in touch with their children or they ignore their child which built a failed emotion communication (Metzger, Erdman, Ng 87). Also, it may be repeated from one generation to another until it is not recovered. However, as a result of attachment theory, it is so important for children to know about it and there are also several emotional effects on children when their parents leave to go to another county due to their connections or bond between them.

In relation to the Adult Attachment Interview, one study focused on the states of mind and previous traumas of 70 neglectful or high risk mothers using a coding system called Hostile-Helpless (HH). This coding system for the Adult Attachment Interview according to Milot (2014),was developed to capture disorganized attachment states of mind that would result from childhood relational trauma.” (P.1351)The mothers were accessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, while results were coded from interview transcripts. The results of this study showed that there was a high prevalence of disorganized attachment states within the sample observed. Almost all of the mothers revealed a form of previous trauma, and in many causes reporting multiple

The most significant bond of life is between the infant and primary caregiver. John Bowlby, the eminent authority, describes attachment as the natural connection between baby and mother (as cited in Alexander, 1992, p.186). Family dynamics have changed since Bowlby’s time, for this reason, the research analyzes the relationship of the infant and primary caregiver. Bowlby’s attachment theory infers that the path of these bonds lay the groundwork for future behavior, view of one’s self, and relationship with others (Colonnesi et al., 2011). Research on abuse and neglect of infants and it’s correlation to insecure attachment and the type of insecure attachment is vital to set up an early intervention protocol.

At the beginning of the course the class was introduced the concept of attachment styles. Attachment styles are the types of behavior displayed in relationships shaped by a two-part set of basic assumptions, conclusion, or core beliefs about one’s self and others. In laymen’s terms it is how one person interacts with another either God, spouse, child, friend, or even self. There are four different types of attachment styles and they are: secure, ambivalent, disorganized, and secure. The relationship style that all should aspire to be a secure attachment style, however I would classify myself as having an ambivalent attachment style. This is the attachment style where I believe I am not worthy of love since I am flawed. It also takes the assumption that I will not be able to get the love I need without being angry or clingy.

Attachment is a deep and emotional bond that connects two people together. During attachment both individuals bring qualities and characteristics that influence the development of this unique bond. There are two major styles of attachment; secure and insecure, and insecure attachment can be broken down into three types: Avoidant, anxious-ambivalent, and disorganized attachment. I believe that there are many factors in life that can change someone’s attachment style, there are also things you can do to change them, and that your attachment style you grow into as an infant and toddler can affect your future relationships.

Past literature has emphasized the importance of secure attachment bonds in childhood and their impact on social (Bohlin, Hahekull, & Rydell, 2000) emotional (Waters, Virmani, Thompson, Meyer, & Jochem, 2010) and cognitive (Bernier, Beauchamp, Carlson, & Lalonde, 2015) functioning. High-quality caregiver-infant relationships are critical for development and protect against later psychopathology. As mentioned by Bowlby (1969/1982), early infant interactions with caregivers become internalized and serve as internal models for later relationships. These working models influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and determine whether a child will develop a secure or insecure attachment style. Maternal sensitivity is seen as central to secure attachment (Ainsworth, Blehar, Water, & Wall, 1978). Attachment figures who display high levels of sensitivity and responsiveness (i.e., appropriately responding to and attending to their children’s cues) promotes secure attachment. The construct of emotional availability successfully captures these important parental qualities and reflects the dyadic nature of caregiver-child relationships.

According to the classifications of Ainsworth and Bowlby (1991) mother–infant attachment are categorized into four types: secure type, anxious/ avoidant type, anxious/ resistant type, and the disorganized type.

Caregivers play a primary role in how a child may develop. The daily interaction between the caregiver and child continually changes the pathway in which the child may take. How the child is raised and the parenting style used is a significant influence on that development by affecting the relationship between parent and child. This supports the Attachment theory in which emphasizes relationship between the child and caregiver as a key factor in development.