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Attachment and feeding problems: a reexamination of nonorganic failure to thrive and attachment insecurity
Insights
Insecure attachment patterns in toddlers are linked to more severe feeding problems and malnutrition. Secure attachments can coexist with feeding issues, but insecurity may worsen outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Attachment Theory
Background:
- Feeding problems in toddlers are a significant concern for parents and clinicians.
- Attachment patterns, reflecting the quality of early child-parent relationships, may influence feeding behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between toddler attachment styles and feeding difficulties.
- To determine if the degree of attachment security correlates with the severity of feeding problems.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving three groups of toddlers (12-37 months): infantile anorexia, picky eaters, and healthy eaters.
- Attachment patterns and security were assessed using the Ainsworth Strange Situation.
- Groups were matched for age, socioeconomic status, gender, and ethnicity.
Main Results:
- Toddlers with infantile anorexia showed a higher incidence of insecure attachment compared to picky eaters and healthy eaters.
- A greater degree of attachment insecurity was observed in the infantile anorexia group.
- No elevated rates of type D attachment were found in the infantile anorexia group.
Conclusions:
- While feeding problems can occur with secure attachment, insecure attachment may exacerbate these issues.
- Insecure attachment relationships can lead to more severe malnutrition in toddlers.
- Findings suggest tailored interventions for feeding problems should consider attachment dynamics.
Objective:
To examine the relationship between attachment patterns, degree of security, and feeding problems.
Method:
Three groups of toddlers (age range = 12-37 months) were included: toddlers with infantile anorexia (n = 33), picky eaters (n = 34), and healthy eaters (n = 34). Participants in each group were matched for age, socioeconomic status, gender, and ethnicity. Attachment patterns and degree of attachment security were assessed through the Ainsworth Strange Situation.
Results:
The infantile anorexia group exhibited a higher rate of insecure attachment relationships than the picky eater and healthy eater groups. When measured on a continuous scale, the infantile anorexia group also displayed a higher degree of insecurity than the other groups. Contrary to previous research, elevated rates of type D attachments were not present within the infantile anorexia group.
Conclusions:
Feeding problems and growth deficiencies can occur within the context of organized and secure attachment child-parent relationships. However, insecure attachment relationships may intensify feeding problems and may lead to more severe malnutrition. Implications for the treatment of specific feeding problems are discussed.