Attachment theory is a collection of scientific research and knowledge that explores these first imperative relationships. While initially focusing mainly on mother-child relationships, the significance of father-child relationships has become increasingly apparent: we now have an extensive collection of theory and practice that offers a deep insight into relationships with both parents.
This blog lays out the theory of attachment and its fundamental ideas. In particular, it explores the way a father-child relationship can affect the development of mental health conditions in a young person later in life — and how tracing such influences can help to treat the conditions.
Attachment theory is rooted in the idea that young children have a powerful, biological desire to be close to their caregivers so that they can have their needs met. A young child instinctually behaves in a way that brings it closer to its parent, crying when it needs attention and forming social bonds through eye contact and smiling.
According to the theory, four different attachment styles can develop between a child and their parent. These are:. In general, children with caring parents, who are sensitive to their needs and respond quickly to their cues, are likely to develop secure attachment styles.
Disorganised styles can arise when a caregiver switches between harming and providing for a child, preventing them from developing stable attachment patterns. These first, formative relationships affect the way a young person interacts with others — particularly in close relationships — for the rest of their childhood, through adolescence, and into adulthood.
