The Theory of Attachment, Research Paper Example

Abstract

This paper discusses the concept of attachment theory as related to Children or Families.  The focus is on a risk or protective theory underpinned by attachment theory. A protective factor may be defined as the means by which a child is helped in the Parent/Child relationship.  Five such factors are discussed and examined in the context of attachment theory.  Fig 1 illustrates the protective factors in association with the Parent / Child relationship.

Fig 1 :  Protection Factors in the Parent / Child relationship  :  Source :  (Zumbahlen, 2010).

Attachment  Theory is considered to be that of an emotional bond between one person to another.  One of the only psychologist’s  was that of John Bowlby[1], who explained attachment theory and how bonds were formed  between children and that of the caregivers.  e.g., parents, nannies etc.  These attachments formed at an early age influence behavioural patterns that continue throughout the child’s life.  In the formative years attachments create the bond between mother and child and therefore influences  the improved survival rate of the child.  The central concept for attachment theories  is based upon the premise that ” mothers who are available and responsive to their infant’s needs establish a sense of security. The infant knows that the caregiver is dependable, which creates a secure base for the child to then explore the world.”  (Cherry, 2010).

The concept of attachment has a number of distinct characteristics that include: [1] safe haven concept, whereby a threatened child can return to the relative safety and comfort of the caregiver.  [2] security concept, the caregiver takes the amount of freedom, the child has to explore the world.  [3] proximity safety, the child looks towards staying relatively near the caregiver to keep it safe.  [4] separation distress, the child will become upset and distressed if it becomes separated from the caregiver.

Protective Factors

Social & Concrete Support:  These help the parents retain the bondage with the child in times of crisis. Social learning theorists have indicated that the mother child bond has profound implications for future social development of the child.  “All normal infants form attachment relationships to one of several care providers, this will left with natural experiments reflect variation between individuals.”  (Lois Norma Wladis Hoffman, Parenting, its causes and consequences , 1982).  An example of this might be the differing styles between that of parent, grandparent, school teacher, elder brother or sister.  Each have variations on the kind of relationship and attachments formed.

Knowledge of child development : Essentially relates to the parents getting to know, interpret and understand the child’s needs. Childhood bonding between the baby and mother occurs by the mother responding to the baby’s needs and interpreting the different cry’s for help.  The fact that the mother loves the child does not necessary create the bond ” The quality of the attachment bond varies. A secure bond provides your baby with an optimal foundation for life: eagerness to learn, healthy self-awareness, trust and consideration for others. An insecure attachment relationship, one that fails to meet an infant’s need for safety and understanding, leads to confusion about oneself and difficulties in learning and relating to others. ”  (Gina Kemp, 2009).

Parental Resiliency : ” Emotional stability, including stability regarding one’s own experiences being parented, frees parents to live in the moment with their children”  (Zumbahlen, 2010). Secure attachment parenting has seen to contribute  towards improvement in the social development arena.  For example: ” Good parenting can protect against the acquisition of a criminal record, particularly in children from a deprived background ”  (Richard Eckersley, 2001).

Reduced Child abuse and neglect :    In more recent years researchers have placed less attention on parenting styles and instead looked  more closely at the behavioral patterns of the parents.  This particular looking at behaviour interactions  with the children.  When parents act as playmates with the children it is seen to increase to social interaction skills.  Researchers have equally focused upon negative behaviour by the parents and the resulting social outcome of same.  The use of over control, intrusiveness and overprotection  have increased risk for childcare problems and potential victimization” Both poverty and sustained loss of income have been linked with family dysfunction and child problems.”  (Bernard Spodek, 2006).   This has been particularly prevalent in single parent families.  Children exposed to marital separations have found to develop both appear problems and become less socially interactive.  In terms of forming friendships and developing relationships.

Socio emotional well-being in children : The relationships that are formed  between children  and  primary care providers, undoubtedly have a profound impact on the social development and welfare of the child.  The impact of the parent bonding assist the child in character development, morality — learning a sense of right and wrong, learning exploration and knowledge acquisition.  Parents also influence  both health and physical development.  They shape  the child’s environment and how their beliefs and attitudes to those outside of the family social group develop. “When parenting is detached, intrusive, erratic, inconsistent or rejecting, children are more likely to develop an insecure attachment.”  (Andrés Martin, 2007).  Attachment theory has not examined in detail the  consequences of father absence.  It mostly focuses upon the bonding between mother and child.  It was Bowlby that argued, ” the natural relationship is between a mother and child, the father being more of a supportive role.”  (Peter K. Smith, 2002).   The security of attachment is considered to lack the stability required in the father relationship.  Nevertheless with family structure change e.g.  Splitting up, it can result in an otherwise competent child become insecure and losing the confidence.

All Children have an attachment with their caregivers and form such attachments or bonding at an early age ” Because attachment is a process, rather than an outcome, it is best described as a pattern of relatedness rather than a feeling state, a quality rather than a quantity.  The quality of attachment stems from interactions between children and their caregivers”  (Zumbahlen, 2010).  The benefits of attachment are illustrated in Fig 2 in the following table:

Fig 2 :  Benefits of attachment Source : (William Sears, 2006).

Works Cited

Andrés Martin, F. R. (2007). Lewis’s child and adolescent psychiatry: a comprehensive textbook . In F. R. Andrés Martin, Lewis’s child and adolescent psychiatry: a comprehensive textbook (p. 310). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Bernard Spodek, O. N. (2006). Handbook of research on the education of young children . In O. N. Bernard Spodek, Handbook of research on the education of young children (p. 27). New Jersey: Laurence Earlbaun.

Cherry, K. (2010, 5 20). Attachment Theory. Retrieved 5 20, 2010, from About.com: http://psychology.about.com/od/loveandattraction/a/attachment01.htm

Gina Kemp, M. J. (2009, 9). Bonding with Your Baby. Retrieved 5 19, 2010, from Helpguide.org: http://helpguide.org/mental/parenting_attachment.htm

Lois Norma Wladis Hoffman, R. G. (1982). Parenting, its causes and consequences . In R. G. Lois Norma Wladis Hoffman, Parenting, its causes and consequences (p. 49). Hillsdale, NJ: Laurence Eribaum Associates.

Peter K. Smith, C. H. (2002). Blackwell handbook of childhood social development . In C. H. Peter K. Smith, Blackwell handbook of childhood social development (p. 242). Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.

Richard Eckersley, J. D. (2001). The social origins of health and well-being . In J. D. Richard Eckersley, The social origins of health and well-being (pp. 207-215). Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press.

William Sears, M. a. (2006). Attachment Parenting. Retrieved 5 19, 2010, from Ask Dr.Sears.com: http://www.askdrsears.com/about.asp

Zumbahlen, M. (2010). Protective Factor #6: Enhanced Parent-Child Relationships. Chicago Il: Illinois Building Resiliency Committee.

[1] John Bowlby (1907-1990) British Psychologist and Psychoanalyst noted for pioneering work in attachment theory.