Exploring How Parental Divorce Before the Age of Six Affects The Child’s Attachment Relationships in Adulthood.

1749 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effect of divorce on children and parents

The likelihood of a person’s marriage ending in divorce presently stands at fifty-percent in the United States. As a consequence many children will go through the divorce process as well. What is important to note is that many children go through divorce before the age of six and this is very significant to their development. Most importantly from infancy through the early years of life (preschool years), children are working on forming secure attachments. There have not been many studies done about the impact of divorce on children younger than six years old. Only one study was found where child participants were aged 3 to 6 years (Nair, & Murray, 2005). The few that have found interesting results, discuss how divorce prior to the age of six can put children at risk for developmental disruptions (Rogers, 2004). Results also conclude that children who experienced divorce prior to age six can confront issues of love, commitment, abandonment, and betrayal years following also. As well, children of divorce have many other risk factors in future relationships. Attachment Theory Attachment theory is based on the work of Bowlby, and Ainsworth and has been added to by many other theorists. These theorists believe that attachment is a key aspect to determining personality and behavior throughout an individual's lifetime. Attachment can be defined as the strong bond that develops first between parent and child, and later in peer and romantic relationships. In theory if you are able to build a secure attachment to a caregiver as a child, you will be able to build secure relationships as an adult. If that secure bond is not created and you have developed an insecure relationship, this could prove detrimental to relationships in... ... middle of paper ... ...24753. Perris, C., & Andersson, P. (2000). Experiences of parental rearing and patterns of attachment in adulthood. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 7(4), 279-288. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. Platt, R., Nalbone, D., Casanova, G., & Wetchler, J. (2008). Parental Conflict and Infidelity as Predictors of Adult Children's Attachment Style and Infidelity. American Journal of Family Therapy, 36(2), 149-161. doi: 10.1080/01926180701236258. Rogers, K. (2004). A Theoretical Review of Risk and Protective Factors Related to Post-Divorce Adjustment in Young Children. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 40(3/4), 135-147. doi:10.1300/J087v40n03_09. Tucker, J., & Anders, S. (1998). Adult Attachment Style and Nonverbal Closeness in Dating Couples. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 22(2), 109-124. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

Show More
Related

  • Can Attachment Theory Explain All Our Relationships, By Bethany Saltman

    766 Words  | 2 Pages

    Attachment theory could be considered one of the most important aspects of how we develop starting out as an infant. In the article “Can Attachment Theory Explain All Our Relationships” By: Bethany Saltman, she explains to us her personal experience and struggles raising her daughter, and her experience as a child and her own attachment. There are three types of attachment types, secure, avoidant, and resistant and the trouble with today is that only 60% of people are considered “secure”. There also subgroups that are called disorganization. Attachment will often pass generation to generation, so it is likely that if someone has an insecure attachment because of the way they were raised they will struggle to create a secure attachment for their own children. Although it can be reversed and changed with the

    Read More

  • Mary Ainsworth's Attachment Theory In Possessing The Secret Of Joy

    878 Words  | 2 Pages

    Attachment Theory The attachment theory helps to examine who we form relationships with, why these relationships work or fail, and how the relationships help to develop us in adolescence and on to adulthood. Mary Ainsworth stated a child/infant needed a secure base from which they could explore the world (Bretheron, 1992). Ainsworth stated a secure base is an emotionally rich environment (1963). She also formulated the ideal of maternal instincts that allow the mother to meet the infants need and with that ability, the infant-mother attachment is solidified.

    Read More

  • The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog By Dr. Pary

    1137 Words  | 3 Pages

    Attachment is an important aspect through the developmental stages of a child. It is the process through which an individual develops specific bonds with others (). John Bowlby theorized Attachment Theory, which focuses on a behavioral system that demonstrates the response of an adult when a child signals which can lead to a strong trusting relationship (). Through attachment infants develop strong emotional bonds with others, which can result in a more positive outcome later in life.

    Read More

  • John Bowlby's Attachment Theory On The Bond Between A Caregiver And A Child

    841 Words  | 2 Pages

    Attachment theory focuses on the bond between a caregiver and a child and how these fragile bonds, if not attended to properly have psychological and social effects on the child’s future. The attachment process itself responds to the developing identity of the child, which is very dependent on the sensitivity and guidance of the caregiver. John Bowlby takes attachment theory in a more biological/ evolutionary perspective, in which he views these formations of bonds as a survival mechanism in which the infant ensures its survival by attaching themselves to an adult (caregiver) who can meet their needs. This take on the attachment theory suggests that parents and infants may be biologically programmed to form an attachment and that every interaction and behavior thereafter facilitates the creation of this bond (Ashford 2013, 266). On a bio-social level children look for this attachment because they are biologically wired to be related to others and be social creatures. Regardless if the attachment theory is taken through a biological,

    Read More

  • Attachment Theory: Systematic Analysis Of The Family Of Origin

    1912 Words  | 4 Pages

    In understanding others, one must first understand our own family background and how it affects our understanding of the world. Conversely, family systems draw on the view of the family as an emotional unit. Under system thinking, one evaluates the parts of the systems in relation to the whole meaning behavior becomes informed by and inseparable from the functioning of one’s family of origin. These ideas show that individuals have a hard time separating from the family and the network of relationships. With a deeper comprehension of the family of origin helps with the challenges and awareness of normalized human behaviors. When interviewing and analyzing the family of origin, allow one to look at their own family of origin

    Read More

  • Adult Attachment Styles

    589 Words  | 2 Pages

    Admittedly, many psychologists define attachment as an enduring, affectionate bond that one person forms between himself and another person throughout life. Mary Ainsworth provided the most famous research: strange situation, offering explanations of individual differences in attachment. However, in this Adult Attachment Style questionnaire that I took, I found many factors relevant to attachment as defined in the textbook. For example, in the textbook, it defines attachment based on Ainsworth research, the strange situation by observing attachment forms between mother and infants. They are described in four attachment styles: securely attached, insecure avoidant, insecure resistant, and insecure disorganized.

    Read More

  • Understanding and Addressing Infant Crying: A Psychological Perspective

    1452 Words  | 3 Pages

    Attachment Theory. According to John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory (cited in Kirkpatrick & Shaver, 1990), an infant is programmed to form attachment with their primary caregiver (Ainsworth, 1979) in order to strengthen their chances of survival. This form of attachment is forged when caregivers provide infants with a source of comfort and a sense of security. Attachment is also strongly interlinked with exploration systems. Bowlby and Ainsworth (cited in Rothbaum, Weiz, Pott, Miyake & Morelli, 2002) also state that infants are more inclined to examine their environment when they receive sufficient comfort and protection provided by their caregivers. Thus, when faced with

    Read More

  • The Impact Of Attachment In Infants, Childhood And Adulthood

    941 Words  | 2 Pages

    Attachment is one of the most important aspects of the relationship between one person and another in ensuring secure and trusting bond. It is very important in all stages of life for it greatly impacts on relationship formation, self-identity and confidence. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to outline those impacts in infants, childhood and adulthood.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Divorce on Children

    2257 Words  | 5 Pages

    Divorce is becoming a worldwide phenomenon, significantly affecting children’s well-being. It radically changes their future causing detrimental effects. According to (Julio Cáceres-Delpiano and Eugenio Giolito, 2008) nearly 50% of marriages end with divorce. 90% of children who lived in the USA in the 1960s stayed with their own biological parents, whereas today it makes up only 40% (Hetherington, E. Mavis, and Margaret Stanley-Hagan, 1999). Such an unfavorable problem has been increasing, because in 1969, the legislation of California State changed the divorce laws, where spouses could leave without providing causes (Child Study Center, 2001). This resolution was accepted by the other states and later, the number of divorced people has been steadily growing. Such a typical situation is common for most countries in the world, which negatively affects children’s individuality. However, remarkably little amount of people can conceive the impact of marital separation caused to offspring. (? passive) Many children after separation of parents are exposed to a number of changes in the future. They have to be getting used to a further living area, feelings and circumstances. Their response to divorce can vary and depends on age, gender and personal characteristics. This essay will show the effects of divorce on children under various aspects such as educational, psychological and social impact. In addition, it will contain data about the divorce rate in the US and present disparate reactions of children. It will also include adequate recommendations for parents as to how act to children after divorce, in order to minimize the adverse effect on children.

    Read More

  • Divorce and Its Effect On Children

    1490 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kelly, J. B., & Emery, R. E. (2003). Children's adjustment following divorce: Risk and resilience perspectives. Family Relations, 52(4), 352-362.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Attachment for the Children's Development

    865 Words  | 2 Pages

    Psychologist, Mary Ainsworth expanded upon Bowlby's original work. She conducted a study labelled the ‘Strange Situation’. In the study, based upon the children’s reactions, Ainsworth described three major styles of attachment: secure attachment, ambivalent-insecure attachment, and avoidant-insecure attachment. Work by Stroufe and Waters in 1977, further supported Ainsworth's attachment styles and have indicated that attachment styles also have an impact on behaviours later in life (Birns, 1999, p. 13). Researchers have found strengths in attachment patterns established early in life can lead to a number of outcomes. For example, children who are securely attached as infants tend to develop stronger self-esteem and better self-reliance as they grow older. These children also tend to be more independent, perform better in school, have successful social relationships, and experience less depression and anxiety (Birns, 1999, p. 13).

    Read More

  • Divorce Rhtorical Analysis

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most people, when thinking about divorce, worry about the impact that it has on the children that are involved. Even though children are most likely better off if totally incompatible parents separate instead of staying together, divorce is about loss and change, and it is still hard for children. Everyone knows that divorce has its effects on children. There are three different sources that try to explain these effects. Graham Blaine Jr. states that divorce is a threat to all children, whereas Rhona Mahony states that divorce is not always the cause of behavioral or academic problems in children coming from divorced families. Yvette Walczak and Sheila Burns state that the extent of the damage can be determined by the parents and their methods of explanation to the children.

    Read More

  • The Shocking Truths of Divorce

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    An absence of a parent or a parent’s separation, divorce, when a child is developing, may affect the child’s future relationships. “Evidence shows that, on average, children who have experienced parental divorce score somewhat lower than children in first-marriage families on measures of social development, emotional well-being, self-concept, academic performance, educational attainment, and physical health” (Demo, Supple)

    Read More

  • The Attachment Theory

    1811 Words  | 4 Pages

    John Bowlby was the first attachment theorist, he describes attachment as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” (Bowlby, 1969, p.194), he believed that the earliest bonds that were formed between child and caregiver has a huge impact that continues throughout the infants life. Attachment is said to help keep the infant close to their mother, so it improves the child’s chance of survival.

    Read More

  • Children of Divorced Parents

    1411 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is unfortunate that marriages sometimes end and there are children caught in the middle of the marriage but it may be worst for the parents to stay together simply for the children’s sake. However when parents do divorce the children are the most effected by the divorce. Often enough the divorce causes children to feel displaced and also to have feelings that their world is coming to an end. These children tend to grow into adults with either extreme emotional detachment and self-esteem issues or they will have strong family values and try to prevent the cycle from repeating itself but the majority of these children grow up suffering from the divorce.

    Read More

More about Exploring How Parental Divorce Before the Age of Six Affects The Child’s Attachment Relationships in Adulthood.

Open Document