Attachment Security and Emotional Availability: The Broadening of Two Prominent Concepts

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Author(s): Zeynep Biringen (Colorado State University, USA), Jennifer J. Harman (Colorado State University, USA), Hannah Saunders (Colorado State University, USA)and Robert N. Emde (University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA)
Copyright: 2017
Pages: 20
Source title: Family Dynamics and Romantic Relationships in a Changing Society
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Nava R. Silton (Marymount Manhattan College, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-2404-5.ch013

Keywords: Gender & Diversity / Information Science Reference / Medicine & Healthcare / Sociology

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Abstract

Attachment theory posits that sensitive interactions between caregivers and children are the bedrock of a secure attachment (Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, 1978). The larger concept of “emotional availability” (Biringen, Robinson, & Emde, 1998) refers to the avenue by which secure attachments are formed, including qualities additional to parental sensitivity. That is, according to the emotional availability framework (Biringen et al., 1998), parental structuring, non-intrusiveness, and non-hostility and sensitivity contribute to the climate that nurtures secure attachment. Child qualities also contribute to secure attachment, in the form of child's responsiveness and child's involvement/engagement with the caregiver. This paper will explore the similarities and differences in these two (primarily) observational concepts as well as propose areas that require broadening, given recent research on family dynamics. Moreover, we describe implications for clinical practice involving intact and divorced families.

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Attachment Security and Emotional Availability: The Broadening of Two Prominent Concepts

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