THE BASIC CONCEPT OF MENTAL HEALTH: ATTACHMENT
The age between 0-2, which is defined as the infancy period, is the period in which the child develops most rapidly in terms of physical, mental and emotional aspects. For this reason, it is not enough to meet the physical needs of the child in this period. The mother must be “good enough”, that is, she must be aware of her child’s needs and be able to calm her worries.
Attachment has a vital value for the child. The term attachment refers to the existence of an emotionally positive and helpful relationship between infants and their parents or caregivers. The bond established with the mother in the first years constitutes an important part of the child’s future personality. The greatest contribution of the mutual love bond formed between mother and child to future life is the formation of a sense of trust in all relations established with other people.
Connecting has 3 basic functions for human life:
1. Being a safe haven to return to while exploring the world,
2. Meeting physical needs,
3. The chance to develop a sense of security about life.
Accordingly; The sense of security, which is met to some extent by the mother, determines the child’s perception of the world:
Children with SECURE attachment experience a normal tension when the mother leaves, and they enter into a happy and joyful welcome when the mother returns.
Undecided children, on the other hand, show extreme sadness and separation behavior when the mother leaves, and are angry and rejecting when the mother returns. In the avoidant children, the moment of separation is calm and almost unresponsive, while the meeting is rejecting and alienating from the mother.
Secure attachment is seen as a source of emotional health. It gives the child confidence that the “other” will be there for them, which underpins their capacity to form satisfying relationships later in life. Mothers of children with secure attachment are sensitive to the child’s cries, who can make them laugh quickly, and who can respond appropriately to different needs. Mothers of indecisive children were generally found to be inconsistent in their responses. It was found that the children of mothers who were distant, emotionally difficult to reach and neglectful had an avoidant attachment style.
ATTACHMENT IN INFANT PERIOD
Attachment is a two-way relationship as it is a process that develops depending on the needs of both parties to meet each other’s needs. Some behaviors of not only the mother (or caregiver) but also the baby are particularly effective in the formation of this attachment.
The behaviors that the baby uses in communication with his parents and develops in the first nine months of his life are called ”attachment behaviors”.
Psychiatric disorders experienced during infancy and childhood due to problems experienced in the attachment process are generally grouped under three headings;
1. Infantile depression
2. Separation anxiety disorder
3. Reactive attachment disorder.
ATTACHMENT IN Adolescence
Adolescence is a very important transitional period; very important changes occur during this period; hence the binding properties are also revised.
The aspect of attachment in adolescence that differs from other age groups is that the dominant process is separation from parents and individualization, and developing new relationships outside the family.
The quality of attachment in early childhood plays an important role in establishing and developing social relationships with peers and adults in this period. In this sense, adolescence is a period in which attachment is strengthened and consolidated
Attachment styles are also one of the factors that lead to psychopathology in adolescence.
It was stated that adolescents with ambivalent attachment try to attract attention by exaggerating their problems, while avoidant adolescents tend to ignore their problems
Anxiety, depression, thought disorders and the need for social acceptance; It is more common in adolescents with ambivalent attachment style than in other groups. On the other hand, conduct disorder, substance abuse and related antisocial personality disorder are psychopathology categories that are more common in adolescents with avoidant attachment style.
Many theorists who are interested in the attachment process agree that it is the attachment relationship that a person establishes with his mother in the early stages of life that determines the quality of the relationships that a person will establish with other people in his adult life and his expectations from people.
As a result;
Considering the effects of lifelong attachment from infancy to adulthood, the importance of quality in mother-infant attachment becomes evident once again in terms of protective mental health.
Therefore, starting from the earliest possible period, giving importance to the mother-infant relationship, providing appropriate support and intervention where necessary are necessary for the development of secure attachment.
REFERENCES
1. Faded T. Psychology of Attachment, Marriage and Family. 1st Edition. Istanbul: Sistem Publishing; 2010. p. 260- 262.
2. Tüzün O and Sayar K. Attachment Theory and Psychopathology. The Thinker 2006; 19(1):24-39
3. Soysal AŞ, Bodur S, İşeri S. An overview of the attachment process in infancy. Clinical Psychiatry 2005; 8: 88- 89.
