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Disruption of attachment, Disruption effect - Coggle Diagram

- - - - They performed a study investigating maternal separation.
        
        A child who had a close and stable relationship with his mother experienced severe distress when he spent nine days in a residential nursery following his mother's hospitalisation.
        
        On his mother's return, the infant appeared confused and tried to get away from her. These negative effects were evident years later.
        
        The infant appeared to have gone through the stages of the PDD model and suffered serious, irreversible damage. This supported Bowlby's theory.
    - - Robertson and Robertson (1971) took children facing short-term separations into their own home, providing them with an alternative attachment as well as routine.
        
        They found that, by doing this, they prevented any severe psychological damage, supporting the maternal deprivation hypothesis.
        
        Barrett (1997) argued that individual differences in reactions to short-term separation are very important.
    - - The sample is biased. Bowlby chose it himself and the majority of juvenile thieves are not referred to Children's clinics.
      - The evidence is retrospective and therefore relies on accurate recall of past events.
      - Bowlby diagnosed affectionless psychopathology himself, a further example of bias.
      - There is a correlation between early separation and later problems. Correlations cannot show cause. We need to consider other factors such as family problems, poverty etc.
      - Rutter - Bowlby fails to distinguish between deprivation (attachment broken) and privation (never forming an attachment)
      - Rutter - need to consider other factors such as reasons for separation, how it was handled, age, gender, quality of care etc.
- - - - Rogers and Pryor (1998) found that children who experience more than two divorces have the lowest adjustment rates and the most behavioural problems..
      - Furstenberg and Kiernan (2001) discovered that children who have experienced divorce suffer not only emotionally, but also in terms of emotional wellbeing, academic attainment and physical health.
      - These finding all support the maternal deprivation hypothesis.
    - - Hetherington and Stanley-Hagen (1999) found that few children suffer long-term adjustment problems and that most adapt to their change in circumstances. This doesn't support Schaffer's findings.
      - Richards (1987) concluded that while attachment disruption through divorce is more likely to result in resentment and stress, death of an attachment figure is more likely to lead to depression.
    - - Research generally supports the hypothesis that long-term separation has a greater negative impact on development than short-term separation.
      - In some cases, divorce leads to a more positive environment and stronger bonds between children and parents, especially if the deterioration in the marriage has led to the creation of a hostile environment.
      - Research has led to the creation of strategies to help children cope with divorce. For example, some US states make divorcing parents attend an education programme.
- - - - Privation is more likely to result in lasting damage than deprivation. But research results don't always agree with each other. Some individuals recover while others don't approve.
- - - - Conclusion - Early deprivation can be overcome with dedication and patience.
        
        Evaluation
        
        Strength - Practical applications for rehabilitation
        
        Limitation - A case study, so cannot generalise.
- - - - The last stage is detachment, where the infant resumes their responses to other people but treats them warily. They might reject the caregiver on return and continue to display signs of anger.
        
        Generally referred to the PDD model (Protest, Despair, Detachment). Barrett (1997) has emphasised the role of individual differences. Barrett argues that infants who are securely attached and more mature may well cope better with separation.