From birth, I felt safe and my parents, despite my fears and their own, knew how to foster my independence
Joaquín Díaz Atienza
INTRODUCTION
All animals, especially mammals, establish a special relationship with their primary adult caregivers from birth. Initially with the closest caregiver and gradually with other figures in their immediate environment. This is what we call addiction. But how do we define attachment?: Attachment is a strong and lasting emotional bond that a child establishes with an attachment figure, who is not always necessarily the mother, although in the traditional family, since the mother is the parental figure who provides care from birth, it is usually her. the primary attachment figure This bond may last a lifetime or not. What is certain is that the quality of social and emotional development, as well as the sense of personal security, will depend on the quality of the attachment. A large number of experimental studies have shown that a child's exploratory behaviors and the confidence with which they carry them out depend on the type of attachment established.
Historical evolution of the concept of attachment
The first researcher to become interested in the study of attachment in childhood was bowlby Based on his observations of the behavior of adolescents in reform centers, he found that 40% of them had a history of significant maladjustment and separation from primary caregivers between six months and five years of age. These observations helped him describe what he termed as "A personality devoid of tenderness"This personality type was found in 70% of adolescents who had a history of separation and was characterized by being sociable, emotionally detached from peers and caregivers, indifferent, emotionally cold, and unreactive to punishment.
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Attachment development according to Bowlby
It describes several stages with some very important characteristics regarding the possible consequences for the child if significant alterations in attachment occur. Today we know, although we won't address it in this post, that the emotional bond begins even before birth.
Pre-attachment phase: It is the one that is established before two months. In it, the infant will not present differentiated behaviors with respect to the adult caregivers.
Attachment phase under constructionThis stage develops between two and seven months of age. The infant begins to distinguish between ends and means and to selectively differentiate between people. Anxiety in the presence of unfamiliar or strange people often appears at the end of this stage. However, separation from the primary caregiver can still occur without serious consequences for emotional development.
Attachment phaseThis stage is established around seven months of age. It is very important to note that separation is not possible without the infant experiencing fear and mood changes for the duration of the separation. The infant already distinguishes the primary attachment figure (mother or father, etc.) as a specific whole from other secondary attachment figures.
Adjusted membership: This stage, which continues throughout childhood, is crucial for our children's education and socio-emotional development. The child tries to influence their attachment figures, while parents must act in accordance with their child's temperament and in a way that fosters healthy emotional maturation. In this process of interaction and adjustment, the parents' personality and emotional characteristics will, of course, also be determining factors.
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Attachment development according to M. Ainsworth
This researcher designed an experimental situation to study children's reactions to certain situations (presence/absence) with respect to their attachment figure. Strange Situation TestIn this way, he describes several types of attachment:
Secure attachmentIn this case, the child only protests in the absence of the attachment figure; upon their return, the child greets them with relief, maintains exploratory behaviors in their environment in the presence of the attachment figure, and establishes a good relationship with strangers. When the attachment figure returns to the scene, the child quickly calms down.
Anxious-avoidant attachment: The child is little affected by separation from the attachment figure, gives the impression of not needing reassurance and of being independent, explores without difficulty in the absence of the attachment figure, makes easy contact with strangers, and gives the impression of ignoring the attachment figure when they return to the scene.
Anxious attachment – resistant or ambivalent: He appears disturbed by the experimental situation, regardless of the presence or absence of the attachment figure; when the figure is absent, he experiences great distress and agitation; when the figure returns, he is ambivalent about the attachment figure's attempts to reassure him (he clings to and rejects the attachment figure, never fully calming down). It is as if he refuses to be reassured, as if he were "punishing" the attachment figure.
Of course, the desired type of attachment would be secure attachment. However, it is not the most common, nor does its establishment depend solely on the attachment figure. Variables related to the attachment figure and the child's own temperament come into play. Precisely because we understand the potential problems arising from insecure attachment, parent groups are extremely useful. In these groups, parents acquire the necessary skills to manage the various situations that arise throughout their children's socio-emotional development. We want them to be secure, not fearful; to know how to self-regulate their emotions; to be empathetic; and to relate successfully with their peers. Many of these goals are achieved through self-knowledge, an understanding of our children's temperaments, and how to manage any attachment difficulties that may arise.
Behavioral changes that have been linked to attachment problems
- Presentation of post-predictable behaviors.
- Difficulties in social skills.
- Aggressive behaviors.
- Low frustration tolerance.
- Fears, anxiety, separation anxiety.
- Dissociative symptoms.
- Lack of empathy.
- Difficulty in emotional regulation.
- Fueling problems (Failure to drive)
TASKS FOR THE PARENTS' GROUP: Once these general aspects of attachment have been presented, a dialogue will be established among the attendees to analyze the specific problems and how to establish the corresponding measures to improve situations.
