Lasting Effects of Infant Attachment

Lasting Effects of Infant Attachment

According to the attachment theory, “infants are biologically predisposed to form emotional bonds with caregivers and that the characteristics of those bonds shape later social and personality development” (Boyd & Bee, 2009).  They claim that if children do not form a healthy attachment to their caregivers before two years old, they will have personality and social problems later on in life.  Confidence or lack of are created between child and parent through reliability and affection.  If the child can rely on the parent to be there when needed, a healthy relationship is created.  One this situation is formed in a healthy manner, the child feels safe to grow and explore the world around.  Children also tend to recreate the relationships formed earlier in life.  Without a safe and reliable foundation, the child will mimic the patterns learned in future relationships in a negative manner.  This makes the creation of healthy early attachment vital throughout the child’s lifespan.

Reference

Boyd, D., & Bee, H. (2009). Lifespan Development (5th Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.