Introduction
Attachment theory is an area of psychological study that has evolved since its inception in the 1950s and has been applied to infant and adult relationships (Hermans et al., 2021). The concept of secure attachment is central to this theory and has been seen as important for infant development, as well as for the establishment of successful adult relationships, strong self-identity, and confidence to function and achieve in our lifetime. John Bowlby defines secure attachment as the “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” (Dodhy & Saeed, 2020).
Attachment Theories and Their Relevance
Bowlby’s attachment theory is one of the earliest models of secure attachment. This theory proposes that the relationship between an infant and its primary caregiver is key to developing a secure attachment. Bowlby believed that the infant’s attachment to its primary caregiver could be disrupted by neglect or abuse, leading to insecure attachment and psychological issues in later life. Bowlby’s attachment theory outlines four stages of attachment. These include the pre-attachment stage, during which the infant develops a basic trust in the caregiver; the attachment-in-the-making stage, during which the infant is beginning to recognise and respond to the caregiver; the clear-cut attachment stage, during which the infant has developed a strong bond with the caregiver; and the goal-corrected partnership stage, during which the infant can turn to the caregiver for comfort and security. Bowlby theorised that a secure attachment is necessary for developing healthy relationships and forming a secure base from which to explore the world.
Attachment theory is a psychological model that explains how individuals form and maintain emotional bonds with others. The theory proposes that a secure attachment is necessary for healthy development and that the quality of the relationship between a child and their primary caregiver will determine how they form relationships in adulthood (Little & Derr, 2020).
In the 1980s, Mary Ainsworth expanded on Bowlby’s work and developed the ‘Strange Situation’ procedure to identify different attachment styles (Bergen, 2022). This procedure involved the infant and the primary caregiver being observed in a number of different situations and interactions. Ainsworth observed that infants securely attached to their primary caregiver were more likely to explore new environments and showed more interest in the caregiver when they returned. Securely attached infants also showed distress when the caregiver left but could be comforted upon their return. In the late 1980s, Mary Main and Erik Hesse developed the ‘Adult Attachment Interview’ (AAI) (Main, 2021). This interview was designed to assess how adults described their relationships with their parents. The AAI revealed four different styles of attachment: secure, dismissive, preoccupied, and unresolved/disorganised. Securely attached adults reported positive relationships with their parents, whilst dismissive adults reported a lack of emotional closeness with their parents. Preoccupied adults reported a need for closeness and acceptance from their parents, whilst unresolved/disorganised adults reported inconsistent or chaotic relationships with their parents.
Harry Harlow’s work with monkeys also contributed to the development of attachment theory. Harlow found that monkeys deprived of maternal contact experienced emotional and social maladjustment. He concluded that the monkeys had developed an attachment to their mother and formed social bonds with other monkeys (van Rosmalen et al., 2022). Harlow theorised that attachment was important not only for physical survival but also for emotional and social development.
Secure attachment is an important factor in developing healthy relationships and a strong self-identity. Securely attached adults are more likely to form meaningful relationships with others, be more confident in expressing their emotions, and maintain a strong sense of identity. They are also better able to handle stressful situations and manage their emotions. On the other hand, insecurely attached adults are more likely to struggle to form meaningful relationships with others, experience difficulty expressing their emotions, and have lower self-esteem. In conclusion, secure attachment is important in infant and adult development. Secure attachment in infancy is vital for developing a strong self-identity and confidence in adulthood (Brodzinsky et al., 2022). Securely attached adults can better form meaningful relationships with others and have a greater capacity to manage their emotions and handle stressful situations. Therefore, secure attachment is the most important ingredient for successful relationship formation, strong self-identity, and confidence to function and achieve in our lifetime.
Daniel Stern also contributed to the development of attachment theory. Daniel Stern defines attachment as a “shared emotional experience with another person” based on a sense of safety, trust, and comfort (Ammaniti, 2018). Stern argued that secure attachment is essential for developing a strong sense of self. He argued that secure attachment helps children to develop the capacity for empathy and understanding of others’ perspectives and that it also helps them to develop self-confidence and a sense of security in the world. Insecure attachment, on the other hand, can lead to feelings of emotional insecurity and difficulty forming and maintaining close relationships. Secure attachment is essential for the development of healthy adult relationships. Stern argued that secure attachment helps adults to form close relationships and to feel comfortable with intimacy. The secure attachment also helps adults trust others and feel comfortable expressing their emotions. Insecure attachment, on the other hand, can lead to difficulty trusting others and difficulty managing emotions. Secure attachment is also important for emotional regulation. Secure attachment helps adults to regulate their emotions in healthy ways rather than relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms such as avoidance or aggression. It helps adults stay emotionally connected with others and recognise and understand their emotions. Insecure attachment can lead to difficulty managing emotions and can lead to unhealthy ways of coping with emotions. Secure attachment is also important for mental health. Research has shown that secure attachment can help to protect against mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Secure attachment helps adults to develop a strong sense of self-worth and to feel supported by trusted others (Dansby Olufowote et al., 2020). It also helps adults to develop healthy coping mechanisms and to process difficult emotions in constructive ways.
Alan Sroufe also contributed immensely to the development of the secure attachment concept. Alan’s theory was based on the importance of a secure bond between an infant and a primary caregiver. According to this theory, a secure attachment is essential for an infant’s emotional development and the development of healthy, positive relationships throughout life (Sroufe, 2021). Secure attachment is established when an infant is able to depend on their primary caregiver to meet their needs. This means that when the infant is distressed, the caregiver is available to provide comfort and support. Over time, a secure attachment develops, and the infant learns to trust that the caregiver will continue to meet their needs. The infant learns to recognise the caregiver’s presence and response, improving the infant’s emotional regulation.
In addition to providing emotional security, secure attachment also promotes physical and cognitive development. When infants feel safe and secure, they can explore their environment and learn new skills. Secure attachment also allows the infant to be more socially engaged, as they are better able to recognise and respond to social cues. This can lead to improved communication and social skills.
The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) was developed by Philip Shaver in 1985 to assess adult attachment styles. The AAP is a projective assessment that uses pictures to measure an individual’s attachment style. The assessment relies on the participant’s interpretation of scenarios depicted in the pictures and their association with their own experiences. The AAP classifies individuals’ attachment styles into three categories: secure, preoccupied, and dismissing. Secure attachment is an adaptive attachment style that involves an individual feeling safe, secure, and connected to their caregiver. People with secure attachment are more likely to have positive relationships with others and are better able to express their emotions.
The Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) Scale was developed in 1998. The tool was developed by Kelly Brennan, Catherine Clark and Phillip Shaver (Zahra, 2022). The scale is a self-report measure designed to assess an individual’s subjective experience in close relationships. It is composed of two subscales: anxiety and avoidance. This scale is used to evaluate an individual’s attachment style, which is the way an individual forms and maintains close relationships with others. Attachment styles can be categorised as secure, anxious-ambivalent, or avoidant. The ECR Scale is an important tool in assessing attachment styles because it helps researchers gain insight into the individual’s expectations and experiences in close relationships, which are key components in understanding attachment style.
Nancy L. Collins has written extensively on adult attachment theory. She defines adult attachment as a psychological phenomenon that describes the quality of an individual’s emotional connection and security with another person (Feeney & Collins, 2019). Collins has argued that the quality of an individual’s attachment to another person can be a predictor of their relationship satisfaction, communication effectiveness and overall well-being. Collins’ work has also explored how adult attachment style can shape how individuals interact with their romantic partners. Collins has also argued that these attachment styles are formed in childhood and remain relatively stable. She suggests that individuals can learn to understand better and manage their attachment styles to improve their relationships.
Conclusion
Attachment theory is an important psychological model that explains the way in which individuals form and maintain emotional bonds with others. Secure attachment is necessary for healthy development in both children and adults and has been found to be an important factor in the development of strong self-identity, emotional regulation, and successful relationship formation. Secure attachment helps children develop empathy and understanding of others’ perspectives, and it also helps them develop self-confidence and a sense of security in the world. In adults, secure attachment is essential for forming close relationships and feeling comfortable with intimacy, as well as for managing emotions in healthy ways and developing a strong sense of self-worth. Attachment theory is a valuable tool for understanding the importance of secure attachment for children and adults and helping individuals develop strong, meaningful relationships.
References
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