Nature of emotional bond between an infant and the primary caregiver

Nature of emotional bond between an infant and the primary caregiver

Describe the nature of the emotional bond that develops between an infant and the primary caregiver

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Behaviors to promote health attachment

The theory of attachment is a psychological theory that attempts to describe the nature of the emotional bond that develops between an infant and the primary caregiver

The nurse would start by trying to establish a trusting relationship with the parent. She would then work to promote positive interactions between the parent and child. This would involve encouraging the parent to respond to the child’s cues, providing support and guidance when needed, and helping the parent to understand the child’s developmental needs. The nurse would also encourage the parent to provide structure and consistency for the child (Cooke et al., 2019).

There are a few key behaviors that a nurse can attempt to stimulate when working with a parent to promote a healthy attachment. One is helping the parent to feel secure in their relationship with their child. This can be done by promoting positive interactions and providing support and encouragement.

Another is helping the parent to feel competent in their ability to care for their child. This can be done by providing information and resources, and by helping the parent to understand their child’s development and needs. Finally, it is important to help the parent feel connected to their child. This can be done by promoting bonding and attachment activities, and by helping the parent to understand their child’s emotions and needs.

Some of the main behaviors that a nurse may try to stimulate when working with a parent to promote health attachment include;

Sensitivity- Sensitivity is the ability to respond to the needs of an infant. it is thought that sensitive caregivers are more attuned to the needs of their infants, and as a result, the infants develop a stronger bond with their parents. Nurses promote sensitivity by creating a safe and supportive environment for the children and parent bonding.

Describe the nature of the emotional bond that develops between an infant and the primary caregiver

Proximity seeking is the desire to be close to the attachment figure. This can be seen when the infant cries when the parent leaves and is happy when the parent returns. The nurse can promote this behavior by encouraging the parent to spend time with the infant, providing opportunities for skin-to-skin contact, and helping the parent to understand the infant’s cues (Slade et al., 2020).

A safe and secure base is the understanding that the attachment figure is a source of safety and security. The nurse can promote this behavior by helping the parent to create a safe and secure environment for the infant, teaching the parent how to respond to the infant’s cues, and encouraging the parent to be attuned to the infant’s needs.

Separation anxiety is the anxiety that is experienced when the attachment figure is away. This can be seen when the infant cries when the parent leaves and is happy when the parent returns. The nurse can promote this behavior by helping the parent to understand the infant’s cues, teaching the parent how to respond to the infant’s needs, and encouraging the caregiver to be frequently around the infant and pay attention to the slightest signs.

 

References

Cooke, J. E., Kochendorfer, L. B., Stuart-Parrigon, K. L., Koehn, A. J., & Kerns, K. A. (2019). Parent-child attachment and children’s experience and regulation of emotion: A meta-analytic review. Emotion, 19(6), 1103.

Slade, A., Holland, M. L., Ordway, M. R., Carlson, E. A., Jeon, S., Close, N., … & Sadler, L. S. (2020). Minding the Baby®: Enhancing parental reflective functioning and infant attachment in an attachment-based, interdisciplinary home visiting program. Development and Psychopathology, 32(1), 123-137.

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