Definition of Attachment Theory
The attachment theory, as its name suggests, chiefly focuses on the bonds and relationships between individuals, specifically long term relationships that include the bond between parent and children as well as between romantic partners. The 1st Attachment theorist was British psychologist John Bowlby. According to him, attachment can be defined as the lasting psychological connection between human beings. The purpose of this essay is to evaluate the impact of the attachment theory on the health and wellbeing across the lifespan of individuals. In the first part of this essay, the attachment theory has been defined and a discussion on how it informs a theoretical perspective on human development has been discussed. Additionally, in this essay, the implications on understanding health and wellbeing have been considered. Additionally, the findings have been applied on Human Service Practices.
The term attachment can be defined an emotional bond with another individual. As per Bowlby’ Attachment theory, attachment can be defined as an emotional bond with another individual and the earliest bond that is formed between the care giver and a child, impose tremendous impact on the life of the child, not only during his childhood , but throughout his adulthood and old age. (Slade, 2018). According to him, the attachment developed between a mother and a child, keeps the infant close to his or her mother and thus, enhances the chances of survival of the child. The 4 stages of attachment of a child, as per the theory, include 0 to 3 months, 6 months to 33 years, 3 years to the end of the childhood.
Keller (2018) has stated that infant behavior is associated with the urge of closeness to an attachment figure in conditions that is stressful, according to attachment theory. Infants form attachments to people who are attentive as well as sensitive in their social interactions with them, and who provide regular care for a series of months between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. Children poses the potential to learn to utilize attachment figures (familiar individuals) as a stable foundation to explore and return to around the end of this era. Parental reactions contribute to the formation of attachment patterns, which resulted in internal working models that drive the person’s feelings, ideas, and aspirations in subsequent relationships (Sutton, 2019).
As per Mathes et al. (2020), the central theme of the attachment theory, refers to the primary caregivers who are approachable as well as available to the needs of an infant and thus helps the child for developing a sense of security. The infant develops the certainty that the care provider is dependable, which in turn develops a secure base for the child so that they can explore the world.
The four stages of life course or human development include childhood, adolescence, adulthood a well as old age. At each stage, a human being socialize based on their social and cognitive development. For instance during childhood, an infant slowly develops the feelings of being and belonging (Cowie, 2018). A healthy childhood indicates effective cognitive and social development both in home and in school. Parents, teachers and peers are responsible for the development in this stage. When it comes to impact of attachment on adolescence, a healthy attachment with parents, helps an adolescence to make ethical decision during their stage, through sharing of information with the parents. For an adult, secure attachment helps him or her to manage their feelings, relationship as well as handle stressful situation effectively. I also contribute to the development of autonomy trust and self-esteem. When it comes to old age, effective attachment reduces the risk of anger issues and irritation within elderly individuals. Also, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular issues and stroke.
How Attachment Theory Informs Human Development
Thompson et al. (2019) have highlighted an effective connection of the attachment theory with human development. As per the attachment theory, the emotional bond between a child and the primarycare giver is highly crucial and any disruption of the same, impose highly negative impact on his or her emotional and social development. While in the 60s and 70s, attachment theory only defined the development of infant and children, in the 1980s the theory was expanded to include adult bonds. As per the hypothesis developed in the 80s, In the 1960s and 1970s, developmental psychologist Mary Ainsworth proposed the concept of the “safe foundation” and developed a hypothesis that includes a variety of attachment in infants: secure attachment, avoidant attachment, and anxious attachment. Later, a fourth type, disordered attachment, was discovered. In the 80s, the hypothesis was prolonged for including adult bonds. Other connections, such as friendships of all ages, romantic as well as sexual attraction, and reactions to the need of care for infants, the ill, and the old, may be regarded as containing attachment behavior components (Hinson et al., 2019). The development and complexity of the internal working model are aided by age, cognitive progress, and continuing social aspects. Attachment associated behaviors lose some of their infant-toddler traits and develop age-related tendencies. Negotiation as well as bargaining are common in the preschool years. Separation does not bother four-year-olds if they and their parents or primary caregiver have already agreed on a common strategy for the separation as well as reunion.
Van IJzendoorn and Bakermans-Kranenburg (2021) have highlighted that attachment theory applies to adolescence development to a great extent. In this stage, an adolescent starts developing attachment with their peers. An attachment dilemma is often faced by adolescents where they face difficulties in maintaining the connection with a parent while exploring new roles totally without the guidance of the parents. Lack of attachment with parents often leads to stronger attachment with peers or romantic partners at this age.
As per Keller (2018), the attachment theory highlights that a child who was highly attached to his or her primary care giver during his or her childhood , tends to be empathetic and able to set appropriate boundaries, compared to child who have either lost primary care giver or has undergone domestic violence. The former, as adults, are more prone to develop secure attachment with their romantic partners and are more satisfied with their close relationship. Lack of attachment during infancy with care given, often results in lack of trust and separation anxiety leading to relationship complicacy during adulthood (Parent & Shapka, 2020).
According to Van IJzendoorn et al. (2021), attachment issues hold specific relevance for the elderly population, given the enhanced potential of separation, loss and vulnerability associated with aging. Elderly people who have lost their primary care giver during infancy or early childhood tends to be more vulnerable than those who have not. Elderly people with separation anxiety tends to feel insecure and helpless, whencompelled to live alone. This in turn results in a series of mental illness, like anxiety and depression (Bosmans et al. 2020).
The Implications on Understanding Health and Wellbeing Across Lifespan
The terms health and wellbeing are linked, however the meaning varies in healthcare. The term health can be defied as an abundance of money or valuable possessions. On the other and wellbeing can be defined as the state of being healthy, comfortable and happy. As per Thompson et al. (2019), the fact that attachment theory gives good explanations for why human beings develop connections in the manner they do is a major strength of this school of thinking. Adult pattern of relationships may readily be tracked down the attachments which get established with the caretakers during an individual’s infancy. For instance, children who have gone through detachment from their primary caregiver during early childhood, are more prone to develop psychological issues like separation anxiety, anxiousness, depression and mental problems. They develop high dependence on peers or romantic partners during their adulthood and any adverse result or separation can lead to major depression and even suicidal activities. This is also true for elderly population. Older individuals, with detachment with primary care givers are more prone to be safer from mental trauma in case of loss of loved ones compared to elderly people who have not gone through the same. As per Bowlby’s attachment theory, here exists a range of positive impacts of attachment on an individual’s course of life. for example, children who are securely attached to their primary care givers, most often parents tends to develop stronger self-confidence, self-esteem and possess better self-reliance as they grow older. These children also tends to be more independent, perform better in school along with having successful social relationships. Dau, Callinan and Smith (2019) have added that one of the key positive impact of attachment theory in adolescence and adults, is that, they are less prone to depression, anxiety as well as other mental disorders. It has been found that as per Bowlby’s attachment theory, adults who had effective attachment with their primary care giver in childhood, are more likely to have a successful romantic relationship in their adulthood. This in turn, reduces the risk of mental illnesses like depression, and anxiety. On the other hand, a healthy relationship promotes healthy lifestyle, resulting in physical fitness.
Sutton (2019) has highlighted that another major strength of the attachment theory is that it reveals that there is special importance over the hierarchy of the attachments. For instance, while infants develop several attachments during the first stage of human development, their primary attachment is towards the mother or father. Fonagy et al. (2018) have highlighted that children with detachment from their parents before 12 years of age are more likely to get traumatized and have higher rate of Post traumatic disorder, Attachment theory, on the other hand, is flawed in that it gives little to no importance to a person’s social or cultural milieu. Older versions of attachment theory were ethnocentric as well as excluded other viewpoints.
The knowledge developed from the analysis of the attachment theory can be implemented in human service practices like case planning, assessment and intervention, to a great extent. For instance, the theory can be applied to the patient while assessing their mental condition. Given the fact that developing knowledge about the life history of the patient is highly crucial, this knowledge can be applied to understand the mental or physical issues, the client is going through (Thompson et al., 2019). Attachment theory can also be used during case planning and intervention. For instance, patients can be helped to identify the key reason behind their mental illness, through a motivational interview about their childhood. This will help in a higher rate of issue identification and recovery.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that infant behavior connected with attachment is largely the craving of closeness to an attachment figure in stressful conditions, according to attachment theory. Infants form attachments to people who are highly sensitive as well as attentive in their social interactions with them, and who provide regular care for a wide range of months between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. At each stage of Human development, human being socialize based on their social and cognitive development. For instance during childhood, an infant slowly develops the feelings of being and belonging. A healthy childhood indicates effective cognitive and social development both in home and in school. Parents, teachers and peers are responsible for the development in this stage. The knowledge developed from the analysis of the attachment theory can be implemented in human service practices like case planning, assessment and intervention, to a great extent. For instance, the theory can be applied to the patient while assessing their mental condition.
References
Bosmans, G., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., Vervliet, B., Verhees, M. W., & van IJzendoorn, M. H. (2020). A learning theory of attachment: Unraveling the black box of attachment development. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 113, 287-298.
Cowie, H. (2018). Handbook of attachment: theory, research, and clinical applications.
Dau, A. L. B., Callinan, L. S., & Smith, M. V. (2019). An examination of the impact of maternal fetal attachment, postpartum depressive symptoms and parenting stress on maternal sensitivity. Infant Behavior and Development, 54, 99-107.
Fonagy, P., Luyten, P., Allison, E., & Campbell, C. (2018). Reconciling psychoanalytic ideas with attachment theory. Guilford Press.
Hinson, R., Boateng, H., Renner, A., &Kosiba, J. P. B. (2019). Antecedents and consequences of customer engagement on Facebook: An attachment theory perspective. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing.
Keller, H. (2018). Universality claim of attachment theory: Children’s socioemotional development across cultures. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(45), 11414-11419.
Mathes, B. M., Timpano, K. R., Raines, A. M., & Schmidt, N. B. (2020). Attachment theory and hoarding disorder: A review and theoretical integration. Behaviour research and therapy, 125, 103549.
Parent, N., & Shapka, J. (2020). Moving beyond addiction: An attachment theory framework for understanding young adults’ relationships with their smartphones. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2(2), 179-185.
Slade, A. (2018). The place of fear in attachment theory and psychoanalysis: the fifteenth John Bowlby Memorial Lecture. In Terror Within and Without (pp. 39-57). Routledge.
Sutton, T. E. (2019). Review of attachment theory: Familial predictors, continuity and change, and intrapersonal and relational outcomes. Marriage & Family Review, 55(1), 1-22.
Thompson, R. A., Laible, D., Padilla-Walker, L. M., & Carlo, G. (2019). Early moral development and attachment theory. The Oxford handbook of parenting and moral development, 21-39.
Van IJzendoorn, M. H., &Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J. (2021). Replication crisis lost in translation? On translational caution and premature applications of attachment theory. Attachment & human development, 23(4), 422-437.
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