Secure attachment

Article summary

Secure attachment is classified by children who show some distress when their caregiver leaves but are able to compose themselves quickly when the caregiver returns. Children with secure attachment feel protected by their caregivers, and they know that they can depend on them to return. A securely attached child can use their parent as a safe base to explore their surroundings and is easily comforted after being separated or when feeling stressed. Secure attachment is an under-explored topic beyond infancy, however some research indicates that attachment security continues to influence relationships, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being throughout adulthood. Infants are born with natural behaviors that help them survive. Attachment behavior allows an infant to draw people near them when they are in need of help or are in distress. Humans' instinct for attachment is a basic adaptation for survival that most mammals share, and when infants and adults feel stresses or are under alert, their attachment system is alerted. Attachment is a specific and focused aspect of the child-caregiver relationship that plays a key role in ensuring the child's sense of safety, security, and protection. It refers to the way a child relies on their primary caregiver as a secure base for exploring the world and, when needed, as a safe haven and source of comfort.…

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