secure attachment style in relationships

secure attachment style in relationships An attachment relationship is an enduring affective relationship with a
particular preferred individual, usually the person who provides most of the
primary caregiving, and from whom the infant seeks security and comfort. A
major developmental task for an infant in the first year of life is the
establishment of an affective interaction with his caregiver and the development
of an attachment relationship. First attachments are usually formed by seven
months of age and secure attachment is linked to later social and emotional
competence.
To foster a secure attachment relationship, the role of the caregiver is to:
• be responsively available to signals from the infant
• encourage appropriate exploration by the infant
• be a ‘secure base’, that is, be appropriately responsive and available for comfort
and shared enjoyment
• support autonomy and self-control
• internalise the parent function, that is, accept the role of parent to the child,
being available and responsive and giving priority to the needs of the child.
Attachment behaviours are those behaviours that promote proximity to the
attachment figure (crying, approaching and following) with the aim of
producing feelings of safety and security. These behaviours are more evident
when the child is tired or unwell, or stressed, for example, by an unfamiliar
situation. The development of secure attachment involves a balance between
proximity-seeking and exploratory behaviours. For the secure infant it is safe to
explore because there is someone reliably available to return to.
Attachment patterns or classifications can be assessed and can influence later
mental health and adjustment.