Attachment theory describes the relationship between a child and their primary caregiver. This relationship is thought to be critical for typical development into adulthood – enabling the acquisition of skills in social interaction. Attachment styles include type B (secure), type A (anxious-avoidant), type C (anxious-resistant) and type D (disorganised). As one might hypothesise, insecure attachment (A, C and D) are associated with negative outcomes – such as subsequent psychopathology {Zeanah 2003} and problems with “affect regulation” {Mikulincz 2003} In light of this, research into the aetiology of insecure attachment has been performed with the aim of reducing incidence of this subtype of attachment relationship. Maternal depression has been put forward as a major factor affecting the relationship between parent and child; it is a debilitating disorder affecting all areas of life. With this in mind, an effect on parent/child attachment seems likely. For the purposes of this essay, maternal depression will be defined as depression {see ICD-10 MDD} experienced from childbirth onwards. Maternal depression could be part of a chronic depressive disorder or of recent onset, such as postnatal depression. However this essay is not limited to postnatal depression as this occurs from four weeks post birth, which is a limited time frame, the effects of which are difficult to separate from those of other maternal depressive disorders. Different aetiologies of mood disorder may affect the attachment relationship differently – for example a mother who is used to depressive episodes may have developed coping strategies whilst a mother new to the effects of major mood disorder may be less prepared. However, owing to the risk of recurrence of... ... middle of paper ... ...ssionOpenUrlCiteView Perry,Deborah F. (2011) Prenatal depression predicts postpartum maternal attachment in low-income Latina mothers with infantsOpenUrlCiteView Pesonen,Anu-Katriina (2004) Insecure adult attachment style and depressive symptoms: Implications for parental perceptions of infant temperamentOpenUrlCiteView Posada,G. (1999) Maternal care and attachment security in ordinary and emergency contexts.OpenUrlCiteView Tomlinson,Mark (2005) The Mother?Infant Relationship and Infant Attachment in a South African Peri-Urban SettlementOpenUrlCiteView Trapolini,T. (2007) Maternal depression and children's attachment representations during the preschool yearsOpenUrlCiteView Zeanah (2005) Building Attachment Relationships Following Maltreatment and Severe Deprivation Atkinson,Leslie (2000) Attachment security: A meta-analysis of maternal mental health correlates
Knowing the symptoms of postpartum depression is critical for a young mother's discovering that she may have the depress...
The first topic that came up in the interview relates to idea of attachment theory. Attachment theory explains the human’s way of relating to a caregiver and receives an attachment figures relating to the parent, and children. In addition, the concept explains the confidence and ability for a child to free explore their environment with a place to seek support, protection, and comfort in times of distress (Levy, Ellison, Scott, and Bernecker, 2010, p. 193). Within attachment theory explains different types of attachment styles that children experience during early childhood. These attachment styles affect the relationships they continue to build in adulthood. The best attachment style happens when the parent is attuned to the child during his or her early childhood called secure attachment (Reyes, 2010, p. 174). In order for complete secure attachment, the child needs to feel safe, seen, and soothed. Any relationship that deviates from this model represents the anxious or insecure attachment. This means that parents or caregivers are inconsistently responsive to the children. Children who have these parents are usually confused and insecure. Some children experience a dismissive attachment where they
Postpartum depression is indeed a major psychological disorder that can affect the relationship between mother and baby. At this time, the cause of postpartum depression is unidentified, although several factors experienced during pregnancy can contribute to this disorder. Fluctuating hormone levels have been traditionally blamed for the onset of postpartum depression. Jennifer Marie Camp (2013), a registered nurse with a personal history of postpartum depression, states in the Intentional Journal of Childbirth Education that “current research demonstrates that PPD may be a compilation of numerous stressors encountered by the family, including biochemical, genetic, psychosocial factors and everyday life stress” (Camp, 2013, p. 1). A previous history of depression, depression during pregnancy, financial difficulties, a dif...
Relationships are the building block for personality and are significant in children’s ability to grow into substantial individuals who can thrive in an often harsh world. Constructing lasting and fulfilling relationships is an integral part to development as the interpersonal bonds forged are not only highly sought after but also set the ground work for all upcoming expressive interactions. Relationships and attachment go hand in hand as attachment is the strong and lasting linkage established between a child and his or her caregiver. Moreover, attachment significantly influences a large capacity of ones make up as it these first relationships that teaches morals, builds self-esteem, and develops a support system. The pioneers of Attachment Theory realized early on that human beings are not solely influenced by drives but that the earliest bonds formed by children with their caregivers greatly impact their ability to forge lasting relationships later in life. John Bowlby was first to introduce this theory to the masses in the 1950’s, and later Mary Ainsworth conducted further research to expand on Bowlby’s theory which proclaims that attachment is a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” (Bowlby, 1969, p. 194). The attachment bond theory by both Bowlby and Ainsworth focuses on the significance of the relationship between babies and their caretakers which research has suggested is accountable for influencing impending interactions, firming or injuring our capabilities to concentrate, being aware of our emotional states, self-soothing capabilities, and the capacity to be resilient in the face of hardship. Additionally, this research has provided a framework for assisting in describing these att...
Admittedly, many psychologists define attachment as an enduring affectionate bond that one person forms between himself and another person throughout life. Since Mary Ainsworth provided the most famous research: strange situation, offering explanations how each individual differences in attachment. However, in this Adult Attachment Style questionnaire that I took, I found many factors relevant to attachment as it was 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. Which they are described in four attachment styles: securely attached, insecure avoidant, insecure resistant, and insecure disorganized. The questions on the questionnaire were based on those areas to determine my style of attachment.
In 1990, Armsden, McCauley, Greenberg, Burke, and Mitchell published an article in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology called, “Parent and Peer Attachment in Early Adolescent Depression” (p. 683-697). Understanding the cause of parent-depressed child relations would help in a comprehensive theory of childhood depression. Also, examining social influences like peer relations for contributions to the risk of depressive disorder. “Attachment theory provides a valuable conceptual model for understanding the role parent-child relations play as a risk factor for depression” (p. 684). The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported parent and peer attachment in a sample of depressed adolescents and the relationship between attachment and
Attachment is described as the close emotional bond between two people and Attachment Theory (AT) generally concentrates on the early bonds in a person’s development as well as the effects that these bonds have on later socio-emotional development. While emphasis on attachment as an antecedent for future behavior and personality has decreased somewhat in recent years, it is interesting to note that the DSM IV-TR includes a “reactive attachment disorder” which it states is caused when extreme circumstances prevent proper attachment development.
The attachment theory, presented by Mary Ainsworth in 1969 and emerged by John Bowlby suggests that the human infant has a need for a relationship with an adult caregiver, and without a subsequent, development can be negatively impacted (Hammonds 2012). Ainsworth proposes that the type of relationship and “attachment” an infant has with the caregiver, can impact the social development of the infant. As stated by Hammonds (2012), attachment between a mother and a child can have a great impact on the child 's future mental
Infant attachment is the first relationship a child experiences and is crucial to the child’s survival (BOOK). A mother’s response to her child will yield either a secure bond or insecurity with the infant. Parents who respond “more sensitively and responsively to the child’s distress” establish a secure bond faster than “parents of insecure children”. (Attachment and Emotion, page 475) The quality of the attachment has “profound implications for the child’s feelings of security and capacity to form trusting relationships” (Book). Simply stated, a positive early attachment will likely yield positive physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive development for the child. (BOOK)
Attachment theory is the idea that a child needs to form a close relationship with at least one primary caregiver. The theory proved that attachment is necessary to ensure successful social and emotional development in an infant. It is critical for this to occur in the child’s early infant years. However, failed to prove that this nurturing can only be given by a mother (Birns, 1999, p. 13). Many aspects of this theory grew out of psychoanalyst, John Bowlby’s research. There are several other factors that needed to be taken into account before the social worker reached a conclusion; such as issues surrounding poverty, social class and temperament. These factors, as well as an explanation of insecure attachment will be further explored in this paper.
In this study, researchers took sixty-four adolescent mothers and their infants to participate in a 24-month study. The researchers wanted to test Bowlby’s attachment theory to find out if Bowlby was correct about if unusual parenting escalates the child’s possibility of abstaining psychopathological effects. The participants were moth...
My mother was diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD), also referred to as postnatal depression. This is a type of clinical depression which can affect women after childbirth. The cause of PPD is not well understood but hormonal changes, genetics, and major life event have been hypothesized as potential causes. Maternal depression has been shown to influence mothers’ interaction with her child, therefore the doctor thought it was necessary for further treatment. Many women recover with treatment such as a support group, counseling, or
It has always been said that during pregnancy it is very important to remain in good spirits because failing to do so can cause you to have an irritable baby. While in many cases those words of advice are received, there are some instances where that is taken very lightly. This article expounds on the effect of anxiety, stress and depression on infants and children during gestation. There are various contributors to stress and depression amongst pregnant women, many in which are everyday occurrences. Per Schetter and Tanner (2015) stressors like racism, discrimination in the workplace and problems in our intimate relationships are all common stressors that can result into negative outcomes like low birthweight (LBW) and pre-term birth (PTB).
In secure attachment, infants use the caregiver, usually the mother, as a secure base from which to explore the environment. Secure attachment is theorized to be an important foundation for psychological development later in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. In insecure attachment, infants either avoid the caregiver or show considerable resistance or ambivalence toward the caregiver. Insecure attachment is theorized to be related to difficulties in relationships and problems in later development. Developmentalists have begun to explore the role of secure attachment and related concepts, such as connectedness to parents, in adolescent development. They believe the attachment to parents in adolescence may facilitate the adolescent’s social competence and well-being, as reflected in such characteristics as self- esteem, emotional adjustment, and physical health (Allen & Kuperminc ; Armden & Greenberg; Black & McCartney; Blain, Thompson,
“Attachment is as essential for the child’s psychological well-being as food is for physical health,” claimed Bowlby, B (2001, p.54). Bowlby claimed in this statement that attachment is a necessary thing that a child needs in order to develop healthily. There is evidence from other theorists who support Bowlby’s theory of attachment, such as Harlow, whose approach is based upon a caregiver’s sensitivity and attachment. Ainsworth is another theorist whose research supports Bowlby’s theory of attachment. In her strange situation study, she tested for the attachment types and what effects they had on a child’s behaviour.