Nurturing Attachment

Nurturing Attachment: Study of the intricate dimensions of postnatal attachment, exploring the psychological and emotional dynamics of parent-child relationships in the formative stages of life, drawing insights from the seminal teachings of Bowlby and Ainsworth. More specifically, we’ll study the following themes:

Understanding Postnatal Attachment: Exploring the psychological and emotional intricacies of postnatal attachment, shining a light on the profound bond between parents and children during the early stages of life, informed by the pioneering work of Bowlby and Ainsworth.

Distinguishing Attachment and Bonding: Differentiation between attachment and bonding, unraveling the nuanced differences between these fundamental aspects of human connection and relationship formation.

Identifying Unhealed Aspects in Relationships: Developing the ability to identify signs of unhealed aspects within relationships, particularly those stemming from prenatal bonding and postnatal attachment, illuminating their impact on child development and family dynamics.

Exploring the Impact on Child Development: Investigating how unhealed aspects within relationships can profoundly influence child development and family dynamics, shedding light on the complex interplay between early attachment experiences and long-term emotional well-being.

Community Implementation:

Culturally Sensitive Support Delivery: Providing guidelines for delivering culturally sensitive information and support that respects diverse beliefs and practices, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in promoting healthy attachment dynamics within the community.

Facilitating Cultural Dialogues: Fostering open dialogues within the community to address cultural perspectives on attachment and relationship healing, creating spaces for meaningful exchanges and collective understanding of diverse cultural practices and beliefs surrounding attachment and family dynamics.

In 1958, psychologist John Bowlby pioneered “attachment theory,” the idea that the early bond between parent and child is critical to a child’s emotional development. Since then, scientists have discovered that insecure attachment during formative years can significantly stress both the developing brain and body, resulting in long-term psychological and physical ailments. For instance, low levels of attachment security have been linked to diminished levels of cortisol, a steroidal hormone released in response to stress that is critical in reducing inflammation in the body. Recent studies are using cortisol levels as a marker to determine the success of early intervention in building stronger attachments between struggling parents and children.

Nurturing Attachment en 1

John Bowlby and Attachment Theory. A conversation with Bowlby’s eldest son

Nurturing Attachment en 2

Professor Jeremy Holmes speaks about John Bowlby, Attachment Theory and Psychotherapy

Dr. Allan N. Schore – Modern attachment theory; the enduring impact of early right-brain development

The Strange Situation | Mary Ainsworth, 1969 | Developmental Psychology

Attachment Research – A 1991 conversation with Mary Ainsworth

Η Θεωρία της Προσκόλλησης ελ 1

Η Θεωρία της Προσκόλλησης ελ 2

Attachment Theory: The slides

The origins of attachment theory John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth

To get your attachment style quiz click here

What is Attachment?
by Kathleen G. Moss, LCSW, ACSW

What is Attachment?

Attachment is a reciprocal process by which an emotional connection develops between an infant and his/her primary caregiver. It influences the child’s physical, neurological, cognitive, and psychological development. It becomes the basis for development of basic trust or mistrust, and shapes how the child will relate to the world, learn, and form relationships throughout life. Healthy attachment occurs when the infant experiences a primary caregiver as consistently providing emotional essentials such as touch, movement, eye contact and smiles, in addition to the basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing.

If this process is disrupted, the child may not develop the secure base necessary to support future healthy development. Factors which may impair healthy attachment include: multiple caregivers, invasive or painful medical procedures, sudden or traumatic separation from the mother, hospitalization at critical developmental periods, neglect, sexual or physical abuse, prenatal alcohol or drug exposure, and neurological problems.

Children with attachment disturbance often project an image of self-sufficiency and charm while masking inner feelings of insecurity and self hate. Infantile fear, hurt and anger are expressed in disturbing behaviors that serve to keep caregivers at a distance and perpetuate the child’s belief that s/he is unlovable. These children have difficulty giving and receiving affection on their parents’ terms, are overly demanding and clingy, and may annoy parents with endless chatter. They attempt to control by engaging adults in frequent power struggles and seeking attention in negative ways. Additional behaviors may include: poor eye contact, abnormal eating patterns, poor impulse control, poor conscience development, chronic, “crazy” lying, stealing, destructiveness to self, others, and property, cruelty to animals and preoccupation with fire, blood, and gore.

Such children often do not respond well to traditional parenting or therapy since both rely on the child’s ability to form relationships, and to internalize the parents and their values. Therapy and parenting that utilize the elements of basic attachment have been found to be more helpful. A more directive approach using nurturing touch, eye contact, and physical and emotional closeness can provide a corrective emotional experience and create a foundation for a healthier attachment between child and parent.

Common Causes of Attachment Problems (Highest risk if these occur in first two years of life.)

1. Sudden or traumatic separation from primary caretaker (through death, illness, hospitalization of caretaker, or removal of child)2. Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse3. Neglect (of physical or emotional needs)4. Illness or pain which cannot be alleviated by caretaker5. Frequent moves and/or placements6. Inconsistent or inadequate care at home or in day care (care must include holding, talking, nurturing, as well as meeting basic physical needs)7. Chronic depression of primary caretaker8. Neurological problem in child which interferes with perception of or ability to receive nurturing (i.e. babies exposed to crack cocaine in utero)

Behaviors Associated with Problematic Attachment

1. Unable to engage in satisfying reciprocal relationship:
2. Superficially engaging, charming (not genuine)
3. Lack of eye contact
4. Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers
5. Lack of ability to give and receive affection on parents’ terms (not cuddly)
6. Inappropriately demanding and clingy
7. Persistent nonsense questions and incessant chatter
8. Poor peer relationships
9. Low self esteem
10. Extreme control problems – may attempt to control overtly, or in sneaky ways
11. Poor cause and effect thinking:
12. Difficulty learning from mistakes
13. Learning problems – disabilities, delays
14. Poor impulse control
15. Emotional development disturbed: child shows traits of young child in “oral stage”
16. Abnormal speech patterns
17. Abnormal eating patterns
18. Infantile fear and rage. Poor conscience development.
19. Chronic “crazy” lying
20. Stealing
21. Destructive to self, others, property
22. Cruel to animals
23. Preoccupied with fire, blood, and gore
24. “Negative attachment cycle” in family
25. Child engages in negative behaviors which can’t be ignored
26. Parent reacts with strong emotion, creating intense but unsatisfying connection
27. Both parent and child distance and connection is severed

Useful Vocabulary

Attachment behavioral system

A motivational system selected over the course of evolution to maintain proximity between a young child and his or her primary attachment figure.

Attachment behaviors

Behaviors and signals that attract the attention of a primary attachment figure and function to prevent separation from that individual or to reestablish proximity to that individual (e.g., crying, clinging).

Attachment figure

Someone who functions as the primary safe haven and secure base for an individual. In childhood, an individual’s attachment figure is often a parent. In adulthood, an individual’s attachment figure is often a romantic partner.

Attachment patterns

(also called “attachment styles” or “attachment orientations”) Individual differences in how securely (vs. insecurely) people think, feel, and behave in attachment relationships.

Strange situation

A laboratory task that involves briefly separating and reuniting infants and their primary caregivers as a way of studying individual differences in attachment behavior.

ORIGINAL ATTACHMENT THREE-CATEGORY MEASURE

RELATIONSHIP-QUESTIONNAIRE

When Loving Means Hurting: An Exploration of Attachment and Intimate Abuse In a Community Sample

Avoidance of Intimacy

Contributions of Psychophysiology to Research on Adult Attachment: Review and Recommendations by Lisa M. Diamond

The following books are very interesting.

A Secure Base Parent-Child Attachment and Healthy Human Development by John Bowlby

Parenting from the Inside Out by Daniel J. Siegel, Mary Hartzell

The Handbook of Attachment

Bowlby on Grief

Attachment and Loss VOLUME III LOSS SADNESS AND DEPRESSION by John Bowlby

Raising a Secure Child How Circle of Security Parenting Can Help You Nurture Your Child’s Attachment, Emotional Resilience, and Freedom to Explore by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, Bert Powell, Daniel J. Siegel

Dear colleagues. So far we have discussed a lot about the prenatal aspects of our life and how they impact our health and wellbeing later. Please design a community beneficial project and get ready to present it to the group. You can follow the template below:

Template for Presenting a Community-Beneficial Program

1. Program Title

• Program Name: (Think of a catchy and descriptive title)

2. Introduction

• Presentation of the Need: Describe the problem or need that the community is facing.
• Program Objectives: What you aim to achieve with the program.

3. Program Analysis

• Description of Activities: Detailed description of the activities and actions to be carried out.
• Timeline: Projected timeline for implementing the activities.
• Location: Where the activities will take place.

4. Goals and Benefits

• Short-term Goals: What you aim to achieve in the short term.
• Long-term Goals: The long-term outcomes you expect.
• Immediate Benefits to the Community: How the community will benefit immediately from the program.
• Long-term Benefits: How the community’s life will improve in the long term.

5. Implementation Strategies

• Partnerships: Potential partners, organizations, or agencies you will collaborate with.
• Resources: Needs in terms of materials, human resources, and funding.
• Implementation Methods: Details on how the activities will be implemented.

6. Budget

• Detailed Budget: List of expected expenses and resources.
• Funding Sources: Potential sources of funding and ways to secure resources.

7. Evaluation Criteria

• Performance Indicators: How you will measure the success of the program.
• Evaluation Methods: Methods and tools to be used for assessing the program’s effectiveness.

8. Communication Strategy

• Program Promotion: How you will communicate the program to the community.
• Public Relations: Strategies for creating a positive image and community engagement.
• Information and Awareness: Actions for informing and raising awareness in the public.

9. Conclusion

• Recap of Goals and Benefits: Summary of the key points.
• Call to Action for Support: Appeal to the community or sponsors for support and involvement.

10. Appendix (if needed)

• Letters of Support: Any letters of support from partners or local agencies.

Additional Information: Any additional information that would be useful for understanding the program.
______________________________________________________________________

Πρότυπη Λίστα για Παρουσίαση Προγράμματος Ωφέλιμου για την Κοινότητα

1. Τίτλος του Προγράμματος

• Όνομα Προγράμματος: (Σκεφτείτε έναν εντυπωσιακό και περιγραφικό τίτλο)

2. Εισαγωγή

• Παρουσίαση της Ανάγκης: Περιγράψτε το πρόβλημα ή την ανάγκη που αντιμετωπίζει η κοινότητα.
• Στόχοι του Προγράμματος: Τι επιδιώκετε να επιτύχετε με το πρόγραμμα.

3. Ανάλυση του Προγράμματος

• Περιγραφή των Δράσεων: Λεπτομερής περιγραφή των δραστηριοτήτων και των δράσεων που θα πραγματοποιηθούν.
• Χρονοδιάγραμμα: Προβλέψτε το χρονοδιάγραμμα υλοποίησης των δράσεων.
• Τοποθεσία: Πού θα λάβουν χώρα οι δράσεις.

4. Στόχοι και Οφέλη

• Βραχυπρόθεσμοι Στόχοι: Τι επιδιώκετε να επιτύχετε βραχυπρόθεσμα.
• Μακροπρόθεσμοι Στόχοι: Ποια είναι τα μακροπρόθεσμα αποτελέσματα που προσδοκάτε.
• Άμεσα Οφέλη για την Κοινότητα: Πώς θα ωφεληθεί η κοινότητα άμεσα από το πρόγραμμα.
• Μακροπρόθεσμα Οφέλη: Πώς θα βελτιωθεί η ζωή στην κοινότητα μακροπρόθεσμα.

5. Στρατηγικές Υλοποίησης

• Συνεργασίες: Αναφέρετε πιθανούς συνεργάτες, οργανισμούς, ή φορείς με τους οποίους θα συνεργαστείτε.
• Πόροι: Ανάγκες σε υλικά, ανθρώπινο δυναμικό και χρηματοδότηση.
• Τρόποι Εφαρμογής: Λεπτομέρειες σχετικά με το πώς θα εφαρμοστούν οι δράσεις.

6. Προϋπολογισμός

• Αναλυτικός Προϋπολογισμός: Κατάλογος των αναμενόμενων εξόδων και πόρων.
• Πηγές Χρηματοδότησης: Ενδεχόμενες πηγές χρηματοδότησης και τρόποι εξεύρεσης πόρων.

7. Κριτήρια Αξιολόγησης

• Δείκτες Απόδοσης: Πώς θα μετρήσετε την επιτυχία του προγράμματος.
• Μέθοδοι Αξιολόγησης: Μέθοδοι και εργαλεία που θα χρησιμοποιηθούν για την αξιολόγηση της αποτελεσματικότητας του προγράμματος.

8. Επικοινωνιακή Στρατηγική

• Προβολή του Προγράμματος: Πώς θα επικοινωνήσετε το πρόγραμμα στην κοινότητα.
• Δημόσιες Σχέσεις: Στρατηγικές για τη δημιουργία θετικής εικόνας και εμπλοκής της κοινότητας.
• Ενημέρωση και Ευαισθητοποίηση: Δράσεις για την ενημέρωση και ευαισθητοποίηση του κοινού.

9. Συμπεράσματα

• Ανακεφαλαίωση των Στόχων και των Ωφελημάτων: Σύνοψη των βασικών σημείων.
• Έκκληση για Υποστήριξη: Κάλεσμα προς την κοινότητα ή τους χορηγούς για υποστήριξη και συμμετοχή.

10. Παράρτημα (εάν χρειάζεται)

• Επιστολές Υποστήριξης: Οποιαδήποτε επιστολή υποστήριξης από συνεργάτες ή τοπικούς φορείς.
• Πρόσθετες Πληροφορίες: Οποιαδήποτε επιπλέον πληροφορία που θα ήταν χρήσιμη για την κατανόηση του προγράμματος.

“Touching and massaging the infant stimulates breathing, provides warmth, and serves to rub the fatty vernix caseosa into the skin, which may prevent dehydration. If she holds it over her heart, on the left side of her body, the mother may be quieting the infant with the rhythmic beat that was an important part of its intrauterine environment. Holding it on the left may also facilitate eye contact, in that most infants prefer to turn their heads and look to the right….The infant may lick, nuzzle, or even suckle the mother’s breast in the immediate postpartum period. Nipple contact stimulates release of oxytocin into her bloodstream, which results in uterine contractions, expulsion of the placenta, and inhibition of postpartum bleeding. The colostrum that the infant ingests provides immunological protection and is the only natural source of Vitamin K, a substance essential for normal clotting of blood, necessary, for example, for preventing hemorrhage at the site of the umbilical cord. In addition, this early suckling may enhance later breastfeeding success”. –Wenda Trevathan,  in Human Birth: An Evolutionary Perspective (1987:193-220)

“some parents who missed the bonding experience have felt that all was lost for their future relationship. This was (and is) completely incorrect”.
-Kennell and Klaus 1989:281