Attachment and the parent-child relationship
Importance of secure attachment and ways to support its development
What is attachment?
John Bowlby, a 20th century English psychiatrist and psychologist, originated the theory of attachment, which states that attachment is a primary need with an evolutionary basis that leads to a biological desire for closeness in order to increase protection and provide a survival advantage. Unlike temperament, which is thought to be innate, attachment refers to the parent-child relationship (often referred to in the literature as the "mother-child relationship").
Attachment styles
Secure attachment
The child has confidence that the attachment figure is available and responsive when needed
Ambivalent insecure attachment
The child amplifies his or her distress and need for closeness to the parent in order to maximise the chances of receiving comfort
Avoidant insecure attachment
The child minimises his or her expressions of distress so as not to activatenegative emotions that are difficult for the parent to deal with
Disorganised insecure attachment
The child is caught in a paradox that he cannot resolve: his potential source of comfort is also a source of fear
Concrete ways to promote secure attachment
Establish clear and consistent limits, rules and boundaries
The framework should remain flexible in order to adjust to the different stages of the child's development
Establish routines
Following routines allows the child to anticipate events, which reduces anxiety
Have good eye contact and face to face
Also, demonstrate positive emotions, even when behaving inappropriately (I will not allow you to control our relationship in an unhealthy and destructive way)
Encouraging touch
Use a kangaroo sling and encourage skin-to-skin contact with the baby, massages
Be empathetic
Demonstrate caring and compassion, respond warmly to the child's signals of discomfort, be sensitive to the child's needs, emotions and self-concept (I understand how you feel. I know what you need and I will give it to you.)
Encouraging sharing and reciprocity
Taking an interest in their games, sharing values, emotions and objects, showing mutual respect and sensitivity
Loving
All human beings need to be loved unconditionally
Bibliography
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2016). Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Reactive Attachment Disorder and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 55(11), 990-1003.
American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5 Task Force. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5™ (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.
Ben Amor, L., L'Abbé, Y., Cousineau, D. & Morin, P. ( 2017). Mental disorders in children and adolescents, prevent, identify early, intervene. Montreal, Quebec: Éditions du CHU Ste- Justine.
Cassidy, J. & Shaver, P.R. (2016). Handbook of Attachment (3rd ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Dattilio, F.M. (2010). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Couples and Families. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Goldstein, S., & DeVries, M. (2017). Handbook of DSM-5 Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Springer Link.
Knapp, S.E., & Jongsma, A.E. (2015). The Parenting Skills Treatment Planner. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Lalonde, P. & Pinard, G.F. (2016). Clinical psychiatry (4th ed.) Montreal, Quebec: Chenelière Éducation.
Levy, T.M. (2000). Handbook of Attachment Interventions. USA: Elsevier.
Lewis, M. (Ed.). (2002). Child and adolescent psychiatry: A comprehensive textbook (3rd ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishers.
Traina, C.L.H. (2011). Erotic Attunement. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Zentner, M. & Shiner, R.L. (2012). Handbook of Temperament. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.