4 Attachment Styles and the Importance of Forming a Secure Child-Parent Bond in Early Childhood.

Since the moment each child was born, parents will always play a significant role in building the bond between the child and the parent. Parents or primary caregivers have a tremendous impact on how young children will develop their emotional bond. In attachment theory, there are 4 attachment styles that could shape individual traits and tend to stick throughout their lifespan. 

Attachment in children is a biological instinct that children will expect the response by their attachment figure or primary caregiver. For example, when a child is hungry, his or her mom is able to feed him or when a child falls, his or her mom can hold and comfort the child. Childhood attachment could define each child’s character which will shape their sense of self, their forms of emotion-regulation and how they forge relationships with others in their later life. 

Attachment theory was built by a psychologist named John Bowlby in the late 1950s. It is the theory which leads people in their patterns and habits of forming and maintaining relationships (Fraley,2010). After his observation in the experiment that separated infants from their parents in unfamiliar situation, he came up with 4 styles of attachment, including 

1. Secure Attachment 

When infants have secure attachment with their primary caregiver, they will feel content and cheerful. However, when they get separated from their parents, they tend to feel upset. Despite separating from their parents, they also know that their parents will return soon and they feel secure. When these groups of infants grow up, they will have a positive view of self and a positive view of others. They will be able to carry their relationship with friends and their romantic love well. 

2. Ambivalent Attachment 

Infants who have ambivalently attached become upset and sorrowful when they get separated from their primary caregiver. As a result, they can’t rely on their parents when they need something. They may feel unsure whether their parents will be there for them. When this group of infants grow older, they are prone to have a negative view of self and a positive view of others.

3. Avoidant attachment 

Infants who have an avoidant attachment is a result of being neglected or abused by their parents. They tend to possess a positive view of themselves and a negative view of others. Also, they are prone to suppress and hide their feelings, and will deal with their rejection by avoiding and distancing themselves from their parents or relationships. 

4. Disorganized Attachment 

Children who have disorganized attachment have no clear (or mixed) attachment between them and their primary caregiver. It may occur when their parents act as an primary caregiver and a reassuring one at different points of time which infants may get confused. Children in this group will be demonstrated unstable views of self and others. They might find it difficult to trust others and view themselves as unworthy. Moreover, they might find themselves denying their feelings and uncomfortable expressing affection. 

Having a secure child-parent bond is vital for survival and development for children. Extensive numbers of papers suggest that having a secure attachment in children will make them be better in controlling their negative emotion in stressful environments. They will be capable of having a better social competence and have the confidence to explore the world around them, knowing that no matter what their parents will be around and will always be there for them. Children who have a secure attachment will have a sense of worth in themselves and be able to empathize and collaborate well with other people. They also have the competence of having better social skills that could help them to form a strong relationship with their friends, romantic partner and family. 

P. Ratnajarn M.A.