Significance Of Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory: Significance of Parent-Child Relationships
Introduction
In psychological terms, development is a process spread over the entire lifespan of a human being. However, there is general consensus among developmental psychologists that from three years of age up to the end of adolescence is the most significant stage because whatever milestones achieved then will significantly influence the rest of one’s life (Daddis, 2010). The psychologists have shown that patterns of positive attachment developed early in life lead to better self-reliance and stronger self-esteem as one grows older. After studying the ways and the reasons humans develop in distinct stages of their life, psychologists found that adolescence, adulthood and ageing

The most apparent social and environmental factors are manifested in where children are raised and the style of parenting they are subjected to as explained by the Attachment Theory. Although there are various definitions of attachment, they all communicate its critical role in human development. Emotional well-being is a critical part of psychological development and parents and caregivers should act as stress buffers for their children rather than sources of stress (Immordino-Yang & Damasio, 2011). The direct implication is that parents bear the greatest responsibility in terms of how children develop psychologically and are accountable to a significant extent of their future lives. Hence, this program is informed by the knowledge that an individual’s behavior, emotional intelligence, academic achievements, social relationships and life outcomes are influenced by the relationships they had with their parents. An effective way to ensure that children grow up while developing positively psychologically is to encourage parents and caregivers to be involved as much as possible in their lives from an early stage. While children can also be encouraged to be close to their parents, the parents’ responses to their needs may not always be appropriate or positive. Therefore, it is more beneficial when efforts target

However, a significant minority also struggles from early stages of their lives up to adolescence and are prone to be unfocussed, destructive, disruptive, withdrawn and controlling later in adulthood (Cleveland, Quas & Lyon, 2016). Attachment is a critical aspect of the psychological welfare of children because it forms the foundation on which the development of personality and socialization are built (Wood, Lee & Lipper, 2010). Early care-giving that is characterized by secure attachment has a considerable and enduring impact on a child’s development, the ability to regulate emotions, capacity to learn and develop satisfying relationships. Therefore, it is imperative that parents and policy makers are made aware and constantly reminded that human beings develop from childhood through their relations with other people and interacting with their physical environments such as neighborhoods and schools (Waters & Cummings, 2010). Ideally, psychologists assert that the impacts of early life experiences on psychological development cannot be ignored. Children who have positive and secure attachment with their parents and caregivers during infancy tend to grow into more independent individuals with better school performance, successful social interactions and are less prone to anxiety and depression. The differences they have in attachment accounts