Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
07:56
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Parental incarceration: the challenges for attachment researchers
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. ibrether@wisc.edu
Attachment & Human Development
|June 29, 2010
Summary
This commentary examines theoretical issues and findings from interventions supporting infant-mother attachment for children with incarcerated parents. It suggests future research directions for this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Family Studies
- Social Work
Background:
- Parental incarceration significantly impacts child development and family dynamics.
- Existing research highlights the need for targeted interventions to support infant-mother attachment.
- Limited understanding of the theoretical underpinnings and practical application of interventions for this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically analyze theoretical issues in research on children of incarcerated parents.
- To discuss findings from intervention programs aimed at enhancing infant-mother attachment.
- To propose future research directions, including methodological and policy considerations.
Main Methods:
- Commentary and critical analysis of existing literature and intervention studies.
- Review of findings from infant-mother attachment enhancement programs in correctional settings.
- Discussion of a multi-informant interview study involving children, caregivers, and mentors.
Main Results:
- Identified major theoretical challenges in understanding the impact of parental incarceration.
- Highlighted findings from interventions in nurseries and insights from children's and caregivers' perspectives.
- Provided clarifications and additional queries regarding the presented research.
Conclusions:
- Theoretical advancements are crucial for informing effective interventions for children of incarcerated parents.
- Future research should address participant recruitment, study design, and measurement strategies.
- Social policy and advocacy are essential to support these families.
More Related Videos
08:59The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs
Published on: October 13, 2017
05:04A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
Related Concept Videos
03:34Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships.
01:20Attachment
Attachment is vital for infant development, as warm social interactions support growth and well-being. In a classic 1958 study by Harry Harlow, the significance of warmth and comfort in forming attachments was examined. Harlow separated newborn monkeys from their mothers and provided two artificial "mothers": one made of cold wire and the other covered in soft cloth. Despite the wire mother offering food, the infant monkeys preferred the comfort of the cloth mother, demonstrating that physical...
01:28Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
01:28Hazan and Shaver's Attachment Styles
Attachment theory, developed initially to explain infant–caregiver bonds, has been extended to illuminate patterns of intimacy in adult romantic relationships. Psychologists Cindy Hazan and Phillip Shaver proposed that the attachment styles observed in infancy form a framework for how individuals approach emotional closeness and conflict in adulthood. These attachment styles—secure, avoidant, and anxious—are linked to enduring patterns of behavior and emotional regulation in adult relationships.
01:24Attachment Styles
Jeffrey Simpson's attachment theory suggests that early caregiver relationships shape lasting patterns of behavior and emotional regulation, known as attachment styles. These patterns are organized along two key dimensions: self-esteem and interpersonal trust. The intersection of these dimensions produces four primary attachment styles that typically persist throughout life and significantly influence how individuals form and maintain relationships.Secure Attachment StyleIndividuals with a...
01:27Parenting Styles
Diana Baumrind's four parenting styles — authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful, and permissive — each influence children's socio-emotional development differently.
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...