Attachment or bonding is the establishment of a relationship between a primary caregiver, usually the mother, and her child. These nurturing connections begin during infancy, also known as the critical period, and serve as the foundation for a child’s overall development. If a child develops a secure attachment, they will view the world as safe and be able to develop other emotions. The importance of a healthy attachment in human development is becoming more apparent.
Why do some children survive and rebound in the face of adversity? Some children can adapt, rebound, and develop coping resources. The early attachment to an adult caregiver forms the basic foundations of a child’s personality. It enables the child to trust others and rely on themselves. If not treated properly, children without attachments grow up with pain and anger that they often direct towards society. Separation is the main obstacle to attachment. Some families are unable to handle chronic stress and repeated crises.
Establishing a secure attachment to the primary caregiver is likely the most crucial factor. A secure attachment is more likely to occur when the mother feels supported, relaxed, and secure. Healthy child development can be jeopardized by family conflict, violence, and breakdowns that result in poverty. A parent who is caring and has reasonable expectations is most likely to aid the child in developing the necessary coping skills and optimistic outlook.
Infants depend on their caretakers even before they can express attachment through crying. Certain hospitals have set schedules for staff members to provide regular physical contact and affection to babies. Infants who do not receive this comforting contact in their early stages of life do not thrive and may not survive. When the infant’s physical and environmental needs are adequately met, they develop the ability to trust others and their surroundings. On the contrary, if attachment is not established during infancy, it can have lifelong effects. Interventions focus on improving the client’s family’s ability to adapt and strengthening their coping skills.
Babies communicate their needs through various ways such as cooing, babbling, gurgling, facial expressions, and body movements. Although it can be tiring for parents to cope with their child’s demands, paying careful attention to the infant’s needs can aid in developing trust.
Attachment theory is crucial in the field of social work as social workers play a key role in providing treatment. By demonstrating availability and empathy towards their clients, therapists establish a positive relationship that mirrors the bond between a mother and her infant, which helps to alleviate clients’ fears. In addition, social workers resemble parents by not needing to be perfect but should still be attuned to their clients’ needs. They also collaborate with other mental health professionals to ensure comprehensive care. Understanding the principles of attachment theory is essential for effective practice in this field as it equips social workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to support children with this disorder.
Culture has a significant impact on the advancement of family members, especially during transitions between cultural groups. Each group has its own unique social and personal relationship patterns. Resource development can be particularly challenging for minority groups. However, the concept of attachment is universal, as we all belong to a nurturing unit known as the immediate family. Social workers need to understand cultural differences in order to effectively address attachment disorders. While some cultures prioritize independence and autonomy, others place greater importance on maintaining relationships.
During the initial year of a child’s life, it is anticipated that they will form emotional bonds with those who have met their physical requirements. These intimate relationships established in infancy are crucial for fostering enduring connections and supporting personal growth, underscoring the significance of this developmental phase for successful adjustment.
Bowley and Ainsworth, authorities in attention disorder, posit that the affection shared between a mother and her baby arises from an attachment cultivated in the initial year of life. This serves as the foundation for all intimate connections.
Attachment issues occur when there is a deficiency or disruption in the early years’ connection. It is vital for the child to establish a steady bond with their mother or primary caregiver. The mother can work and ensure that the child receives proper care at day care. As long as the child gets enough security and care, they can form attachments with various individuals.
Attachment theory has an impact on social attachment and emotional development, although it may not become apparent until later in the child’s life. During the initial month of their existence, infants express their discomfort, hunger, or loneliness through crying. When the caregiver responds to their needs, the infant forms a bond and undergoes typical physical development. The baby’s reactions to language include laughing, crying, and smiling. It is crucial for infants to establish attachments as it affects their ability to develop language skills. Without attachments, they will struggle to express their needs verbally.
Attachment profoundly affects emotional development, hindering a child’s capacity to partake in activities such as sharing and playing with peers. For infants, acquiring the ability to play is pivotal for their exploration and learning process. In the absence of any response, infants cease responding as attached infants would. They develop anxiety towards unfamiliar individuals and respond to stress by regurgitating or resorting to thumb sucking. Unattached infants frequently manage stress through eating or encountering issues with bowel movements.
Individuals who form secure attachments with their caregivers as infants tend to develop positive self-concepts and hold the belief that most people are inherently good and have good intentions. These individuals view their relationships as trusting and fulfilling, leading to greater job satisfaction. In contrast, individuals who do not form strong attachments may prioritize seeking approval and recognition over monetary gain, resulting in lower earnings. Securely attached individuals also tend to have healthy relationships in adulthood, demonstrating resilience in the face of relationship breakdowns and lower levels of jealousy. Ultimately, the ultimate aspiration for a mentally healthy person is to experience love and engage in meaningful work.
Attachment disorder can even impact an infant’s brain, as the brain is significantly influenced by the experiences of the infant. Studies have revealed that the growth of an infant’s brain is directly correlated with the amount of communication received from their mother or primary caretaker.
While my main focus is on early infancy development, there are studies indicating that attachment begins prior to birth. The attitude of expectant mothers towards their pregnancy significantly impacts the unborn child. Substance abuse during pregnancy also has implications for the child’s development. The babies can sense and experience everything their mothers go through. If the mother is joyful and enthusiastic about the birth, the baby will already begin forming an attachment. Conversely, if the mother does not desire the child, those emotions are also transmitted to the fetus.
As early as 1944, Bowlby conducted research on troubled children who lacked a mother figure and found that these children did not have a bonding caregiver. Bowlby’s inspiration came from Lorenze’s studies, and he believed that babies, similar to young animals, have innate behaviors that encourage the parent to stay close. Maintaining contact with the parent also ensured that the baby would be fed, although Bowlby emphasized that feeding was not the primary basis for attachment. He asserted that over time, as a bond develops, the parent-child relationship becomes a significant aspect of one’s personality.
Freud posits that a person’s initial experience of intimacy occurs during breastfeeding with their mother. During infancy, the child derives pleasure and sustenance from the mother’s breast, which helps alleviate hunger-related stress and tension. This early experience serves as a blueprint for future relationships. Attachment theory is logically sound as it reflects the social behavior, emotions, cooperation, and play observed in our early ancestors. Infants are biologically equipped to contribute towards forming a bond with their caregivers.
The proposed types of attachment consist of secure infants, who actively seek close contact and greet their parent with a smile. In contrast, avoidant infants actively avoid their parent, while resistant or ambivalent infants display hostility towards their parent either actively or passively. These infants do not show any emotion when their parent leaves and are unaffected when their parent returns. As adults, individuals who had a secure childhood and received adequate care from their mothers find it effortless to form close relationships with others and are comfortable relying on others. On the other hand, avoidant individuals experienced constant deprivation of physical contact from their mothers, resulting in the expression of behavioral issues. Anxious or ambivalent individuals, whose parents inconsistently responded to their cries as babies, exhibit a strong sense of distrust towards others and feel uncomfortable forming close connections. Such individuals often develop a belief that their partner does not truly love them or wish to stay with them.
Bobby exemplifies the characteristics of an unattached child, displaying his emotions through cruelty towards animals and exhibiting both “charming” behavior and aggression towards others, often resorting to lying. He conveys a desire for distance from others and control over his environment. Due to physical abuse from his biological father, Bobby was placed in a foster home at six months old, showing signs of attachment disorder even at such a young age. Despite efforts made by new foster caretakers, Bobby remains unreachable. His experiences with relationships have left him disappointed, frightened, and confused at only five years old. The early abuse and neglect he endured have resulted in attachment disorder to the extent that he feels compelled to destroy everything in his path. Attachment is crucial for a child’s well-being and survival starting from infancy encompassing both physical and emotional aspects.
Another child, Ann, did not form a bond during infancy, which manifested in her behavior. She was unable to integrate into society or develop consciousness and empathy. Throughout her childhood, Ann experienced depression and frequently attempted to escape home as a teenager. Additionally, she displayed suicidal tendencies. The reason behind Ann’s suicidal threats and runaway behavior can be explained by attachment theory.
Research has shown that a significant majority of convicts (60-80 percent) have experienced neglect in their past. The symptoms associated with attachment issues often resemble those of ADHD, leading to frequent misdiagnosis. To accurately identify whether a child is facing attachment problems, a qualified professional must conduct an assessment.
Bowlby discusses guidelines for treating attachment disorder, emphasizing the importance of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to help children address their past and have hope for their future. Prevention should be the primary focus, as these children have the ability to learn trust and accept love, develop a sense of self, and feel positive about themselves. The ultimate goal of treatment is to prepare them to integrate as valuable members of both their family and community. Proper love and interaction from caregivers are crucial for infants to develop effectively and learn love and other human qualities. Similar to a butterfly’s transformative stages, infants go through various developmental phases, each with unique characteristics that are indispensable for progressing to the next stage.
Ainsworth, M.D.S., Blehar (1978) conducted a study on attachment patterns in Hillsdale, NJ, published by Erlbaum.
Bruess, Clint. (1985). Decisions for Health. Dubuque, Iowa: Brown & Benchmark.
Green, Roberta, R. (1999). “Human Behavior Theory and Social Work Practice” is a book published in New York by Aldine De Gruyte.
Herms, William J. (1993). The Encyclopedia of Health: Substance Abuse. New York: Chelsea House Publishers.
The text states that there is hope for the future. It provides a link to an online resource available at “wysiyg://29/http://family.Disney.go.com”. The information was accessed on November 2, 2000.
Payne, Malcolm. (1997). Modern Social Work Theory. Chicago Il: Lyceum Books Inc.
The online article “Building on the Foundations of Attachment Theory” by Pentry, Patricia (2000) is available at [link] and was accessed on November 2nd, 2000.The history of Attachment Theory is available online at www.psych.nwu.edu/~sengupta/timeline.html. (2, Nov. 2000).
Sattler, David. (2000). Lifespan Development in Context. Boston, New York: Haughton Mufflin Co.
Zimbardo and Webber (1994) authored the book “Psychology” which was published by Harper in New York.
