Today, we will look at 'attachment,' a topic often discussed in the parenting process.
Attachment
Attachment refers to the strong and persistent bond a child forms with each parent. The quality of the initial relationship between the infant and the caregiver during the first year of life is crucial for forming attachment.
When a baby is born, they cry to seek help for survival. Understanding and appropriately responding to these signals helps in infant development. As the baby grows, different types of crying patterns emerge. If parents pay close attention to these patterns, the child will form a sense of trust.
Three Elements of Attachment Formation
It's important not only to respond well to the baby's various expressions (e.g., facial expressions, gestures, etc.) but also to consistently do so. The three elements necessary for attachment formation are 'sensitivity, responsiveness, and consistency.'
👉 Sensitivity: Quickly recognizing and immediately responding to the signals the child sends.
👉 Responsiveness: Promptly and appropriately responding when the baby cries.
👉 Consistency: Allowing the baby to predict the mother's responses.
Types of Attachment
If caregivers consistently offer good support tailored to the child's situation, the child will develop trust in the world and grow in a stable manner. However, if the caregiver's support is inconsistent or poorly responsive, the child's trust can falter, resulting in a lack of faith. The emotional bond and trust that a child forms lead to the establishment of attachment. The image below illustrates how stress hormones change in children based on their levels of attachment.
Experiment by 'Perfect Baby' (EBS) to Classify Types of Attachment
The types of attachment that a child can have are broadly categorized into 'Secure Attachment, Avoidant Attachment, and Resistant Attachment.' These forms of attachment may not be easily identifiable but become apparent under certain circumstances.
The sequence of the experiment conducted by 'Perfect Baby' went as follows:
- The mother and child enter a new room, and the child's engagement with toys is observed.
- A stranger enters the room (child's reaction observed).
- The mother leaves the room, leaving the child with the stranger.
- The mother re-enters the room (child's reaction observed).
👉 This helps identify the child's attachment style.
Secure Attachment
60-65% of infants show secure attachment. If the caregiver leaves, the child becomes anxious but recovers when the caregiver returns. This occurs when the caregiver consistently and sensitively responds to the child's needs and is considered the most desirable form of attachment.
👉 The child trusts that the caregiver will respond well to their needs if they feel anxious.
Avoidant Attachment
About 20% of infants show avoidant attachment. These children don't visibly react whether the caregiver is present or not. Although they don't express it, their stress level is actually very high.
👉 The child learns that they can't rely on the caregiver for emotional support, leading to a young age of independence and autonomy.
Resistant Attachment
10-15% of infants show resistant attachment. These children become anxious when the caregiver leaves and remain anxious even when the caregiver returns.
👉 This forms when the caregiver inconsistently responds to the child, depending on their own condition or mood.
Tips for Establishing Secure Attachment
Creating a secure attachment comes from attention, effort, and practical steps towards the child. Listening carefully to even minor responses from the child and providing for their immediate needs is beneficial. It's a crucial period where the caregiver's attention and affection matter the most.
Quality Over Quantity
Attachment is more about the quality of interaction than the quantity. Even if the mother isn't available, a sensitive and consistent caregiver can help form a secure attachment. High-quality interactions can suffice even if the amount of time spent together is limited.
Additional Information
Questions and Further Research
Is it also helpful for attachment if the child sleeps in the caregiver's arms? 😅
I also came across a YouTube video from Dr. Oh Eun-young discussing how knowing your attachment style can help in parenting. Haven't taken the test but based on just watching the video, it feels like I have a dismissive-avoidant attachment style. Is that okay? 😭
Study date: May 21, 2023