Attachment Theory: Promoting Healthy Child Development & Influences

This essay explores the principles and application of attachment theory, focusing on its impact on child development. It begins by defining attachment as an emotional bond, particularly between caregiver and infant, and its importance in social, cognitive, and emotional development. The essay then delves into various attachment theories, primarily Bowlby's attachment theory, highlighting the significance of a caregiver's presence in fulfilling an infant's needs and fostering security. It analyzes how attachment theory influences the relationship between parent and child, emphasizing the importance of a secure attachment for a child's self-esteem and cognitive development. The essay also examines influences that impact attachment relationships, such as early emotional experiences and the contributions of both infant and caregiver. Furthermore, it discusses strategies to promote attachment relationships, including involvement, sensitivity, teaching, interaction, and affection. The essay concludes by reiterating the necessity of attachment for a child's effective growth and development, emphasizing the role of various strategies in fostering a strong bond between infant and caregiver. Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments for students.

Essay 1
Running head: ESSAY
Essay: Principles and application of attachment theory

Introduction
Attachment can be termed as emotional bond with the other person. It is formed between
caregiver and infant. With the help of attachment, the primary needs of infant are fulfilled. It
is helpful in developing socially, cognitively as well as emotionally attachment among the
people. Due to attachment, the individual's personality is affected and on the basis of
research, it can be seen that attachment influences the capability to form the relationship with
stability over the life time. Attachment is for the development of a healthy child for the long-
term. The attachment of families for their children is for the long-term. This attachment
develops a good relationship among child and the parents or caregiver. It is quite essential to
give proper attention to the infant so that he/she may be attached with caregiver or parents in
an appropriate manner.
The aim of this report is to explore theories of attachment. For this report scenario, 1 is taken
and it discusses how attachment theory impacts the relationship of attachment in terms of
Scenario 1. The report also identifies the influences that impact the relationship of
attachment. It also analyzes different strategies that are helpful in promoting attachment
relationship.

Determine different theories of attachment
According to Hong and Park (2012), in terms of attachment, there are different theories that
concentrate on the bond and relationship among people especially the long-term relationship
that is among child and parent as well as among the partners. First attachment theory is
Bowlby attachment theory that “lasts psychological connectedness among human beings”.
This theory was developed in 1950. According to Bowlby, it is important to understand the
concern that is faced by the children’s when they are separated from their parents. The main
focus of this theory of attachment is to outline child care. Cherry (2019), depicts that on the
basis of Bowlby theory of attachment, it can also characterize patterns of interaction that is
developed to fulfill the needs of infant as well as the development of emotion.
Along with this, Çuhadaroğlu-Çetin, Akdemir et al. (2013), said that attachment theory also
reflects more on abnormal as well as distressing situations. This theory helps in
understanding attachment and the damage that can be done to the child through disruption. It
has been determined from this Bowlby theory that mother presence is important for the child
as she provides the child basic needs such as milk. So, the separation from mother is
distressed for the child. It has also been depicted that attachment matters as it helps in
developing infant with high self-esteem as well as better self-reliance as they grow older.

Cherry (2019), determines that this theory explores that attachment is due to the feeding
relationship among the caregiver and child. The main theme of attachment theory is in terms
of a caregiver who is present to fulfill the needs of infant. They also serve the infant as
security so it becomes a secure base for the child in order to explore the whole world. In the
year 1970 psychologist Mary Ainsworth also explored Bowlby’s theory.
Analyze how theory of attachment impacts the relationship of attachment as well as
selected scenario
The above-discussed theory of attachment impacts the relationship of attachment as it
explains the relationship among the parent and child or caregiver. With this theory of
attachment, it states that child and mother have a strong bond as when there is separation it
distracts both of them. It depicts link among human beings. Moreover, Pallini et al (2014),
states that it is important to be attached of the infant to his/her mother as it would be quite
helpful in increasing the self-esteem of the infant. The power of thinking would be strong as
everything would be taught by the parents from the starting point of view. This theory
impacts positively the relationship of attachment among the infant and the parents. With the
parents, the child feels secure attachment and they are also relatively engaged highly in an
appropriate manner.

In terms of selected Scenario 1, couple having four-month baby Susan they think that they are
not able to maintain an attachment with the baby because they could not manage time to
attend the new parent group. The parents are not attached too much to their child. According
to attachment theory, the attachment is increased day by day while serving the child on a
daily basis. Thus, to increase attachment with the child Bowlby suggested to interact more
with the child to increase the attachment with the child. According to the attachment theory
of Bowlby, it is essential to keep attached to the infant so that in the growing stage the same
attachment can be there from the side of children.
Described influences that impact attachment relationship as well as influences in terms
of selected scenario
In the views of Prayag and Ryan (2012), argue that attachment is one of the aspects that is
build between the infant-caregiver relationship. In this attachment relationship, both partners
contribute the same. It is the early emotional experiences that keep people attach to each
other. This attachment relationship influences the infant and child contribution of attachment
towards each other. Gable and Impett (2012), depicts that period of attachment contributes to
child as well as caregiver factors. It influences positively the relationship of attachment
among the infants as it depicts the behavior of infant. The attachment between mother and

baby is strong that influences the feeling of closeness among the people. This attachment
relationship influences the child with trust, sociable, caring and confident. This also
influences the infant or child with confident.
Lyons-Ruth (2015), discusses influence of attachment relationship in the selected scenario 1.
On the basis of scenario, the parents are also influenced as they want to build up the
attachment with their four-month baby Susan. For increasing the attachment with their child
they had to spend more time with the child and observe its activities. This attachment
influences the behavior of the infant as well as caregiver by maintaining strong bond among
them. The attachment of infant is crucial as it helps the parents to know the actual behavior of
infant. Staff (2018), states that it is essential to get attached to make them strong, emotional
connectedness. This influences the quality of attachment formed. This increased attachment
would influence Susan to develop secure attachment with their parents. In the early stage of
life, when there is a secure attachment then it would increase positive relationships with peers
such as teachers. Along with this, it influences deeper understanding of the process of
attachment. For susan it is necessary for their parents to give love and care for their baby.
Examine strategies that promote attachment relationship

For promoting attachment relationship with the infants various strategies can be taken into
consideration. It is as follows:
Involvement
For increasing attachment with the infants it is necessary to get involved with the infants. The
attachment is based on what exactly or how parents behave with their child. It is necessary to
engage with the infants in the positive way like playing with him/her, smiling at him, or
making funny noises so that he/she can stay happy. With all these things try to become
favorite person of infant.
Remain Sensitive
For increasing attachment, it is important to remain sensitive as infant needs consistent
warmth as well as responsiveness especially in the starting period of life. It is also important
to respond to the cries and should know signal of children’s. The parents should also secure
the infant to its healthy development (Urban Child Institute, 2014).
Teaching and interaction

It is also important to be appropriate as sometimes parents become exhausted. But it is
important to be appropriate by encouraging the infant and interacting and teaching things that
would be beneficial in the future.
Affectionate
Affectionate is another strategy that is helpful in increasing attachment with the infant. For
example, hug baby, snuggle, giggle to make infant happy, talk to him/her and try to know its
activities (Korja et al., 2012). The infant requires a dependable adult who responds to the
needs. By this attachment, the parents help the infant to prepare for their growth in the
upcoming years.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that attachment is necessary to grow the child
in an effective manner. Various strategies are determined such as involvement,
appropriateness, affectionate that would helpful in increasing the attachment with their infant.
The report also discussed about the influence on a selected scenario that impacts attachment
relationship. Bowlby’s theory of attachment is discussed in the report. Attachment, especially
for infants, is important as it would be helpful in developing their self-esteem and strong

bond. On the basis of analyze various findings are evaluated such as for the development of
child attachment is necessary.

References
Cherry, K. (2019). The Story of Bowlby, Ainsworth, and Attachment Theory Retrieved from:
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-attachment-theory-2795337
Çuhadaroğlu-Çetin, F., Akdemir, D., Tüzün, Z., Çak, T., Şenses-Dinç, G., Taşğın-Çöp, E.,
and Evinç, G. (2013). Identity status and attachment in adolescents with attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder. Turk J Pediatr, 55(2), 190-197.
Gable, S. L., and Impett, E. A. (2012). Approach and avoidance motives and close
relationships. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6(1), 95-108.
Hong, Y.R. and Park, J.S. (2012). Impact of attachment, temperament and parenting on
human development https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3534157/
Korja, R., Latva, R., and Lehtonen, L. (2012). The effects of preterm birth on mother–infant
interaction and attachment during the infant's first two years. Acta obstetricia et
gynecologica Scandinavica, 91(2), 164-173.
Lyons-Ruth, K. (2015). Dissociation and the parent–infant dialogue: A longitudinal
perspective from attachment research. Attachment, 9(3), 253-276.

Pallini, S., Baiocco, R., Schneider, B. H., Madigan, S., and Atkinson, L. (2014). Early child–
parent attachment and peer relations: A meta-analysis of recent research. Journal of
Family Psychology, 28(1), 118.
Prayag, G., and Ryan, C. (2012). Antecedents of tourists’ loyalty to Mauritius: The role and
influence of destination image, place attachment, personal involvement, and
satisfaction. Journal of travel research, 51(3), 342-356.
Staff, S. (2018). Attachment part four: Caregiver and child influences on attachment
Retrieved from: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?
contentid=742&language=English
Urban Child Institute (2014). Ways to Promote Healthy Attachment in Infants
http://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/articles/features/4-ways-to-promote-healthy-
attachment-in-infants