Attachment, Parenting and FamiliesModule 13

Attachment13.1

Attachment

• Attachment• Sustained developmental (rather than spontaneous) connection

• Close emotional bond between child and caretaker.

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Ainsworth’s Strange Situationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0CpiSnrXLw

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Attachment

•Ainsworth’s Strange Situation• Measures attachment (observation)• Reactions to new situation• Secure: Positive, confident exploration, protest when

mom leaves, easily calmed when reappear• Insecure-avoidant: Indifference to mom, no distress• Insecure-resistant: Clings to mom, angry when mom

returns• Insecure disorganized: Least attached, disoriented,

dazed, abused, neglected

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Differences in Attachment

• Criticisms • Measures may be culturally-biased• Lab experiments may not reflect real life• Early attachment is significant• Secure linked to high self-esteem, social competence, self-

confidence to adolescence• Less continuity for other children

• Infants: resilient & adaptive in life• Attachment theory ignores diversity

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Attachment Differences?

Romanian Orphanages

Adopted before 4

mo.'s.

Adopted after 8 mo.’s.

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Attachment Differences?

• None!!• Why or why not?

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Father’s and AttachmentKung Foo

Parenting13.2

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Parenting

• Social & emotional development shaped by:• Caregiver-child attachment NURTURE• Temperament and biology NATURE• Social experiences and context NURTURE (CULTURE)

• Good parenting takes time & effort• Quality counts• Parenting styles have effects

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Parenting Style Quiz

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Parenting Punishment

• Research: spanking linked to:• Antisocial behavior in children:

• Cheating• Lying• Bullying• Fighting• Disobedience

• Poor moral internalization

• Poorer mental health

• Negative adjustment in school

• Depression & external problems in later adolescence (i.e., delinquency)

What Roles Do Families Play in Young Children’s Development?

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Parenting

• Reasons to avoid physical punishment• Out-of-control role model• Instills negative feelings• Fails to tell/show what is expected• Punishment can be abusive

• Experts recommend • Reasoning, use of time-out• Coparenting is important

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Child Punishment: Childhood Discipline Debate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlyxVK8dKXw

Child Maltreatment & Abuse13.4

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Child Maltreatment

• Context of abuse• Many factors cause child maltreatment• Culture• Family• Developmental characteristics of child

• 1/3 of abusive parents • Abused as child • (intergenerational transmission of abuse)

• Cycles of abuse can be broken with positive support & therapy

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Child Maltreatment

• Developmental consequences of abuse in childhood & adolescence• Poor emotional regulation

• Problems in attachment & peer relations

• Difficulty adapting to school

• Psychological problems (delinquency, depression)

• Affect stress levels, maltreated children• Institutional placement

• Social class