Based on the theory of attachment, what behaviors would a nurse attempt to stimulate when working with parent to promote health attachment?
Behaviors nurses can stimulate in parents
Based on the theory of attachment, nurses can stimulate the following behaviors in parents to promote healthy attachment:
- Responsiveness: Respond promptly and appropriately to the child's needs. This includes meeting physical needs, such as feeding and changing diapers, as well as emotional needs, such as providing comfort and reassurance.
- Sensitivity: Be aware of the child's cues and respond to them in a way that is appropriate to the child's age and developmental level. For example, a newborn may need to be held close and rocked, while an older child may need to be talked to and given explanations.
- Acceptance: Accept the child for who they are, without judgment. This includes accepting the child's emotions, both positive and negative.
- Consistency: Be consistent in your behavior and expectations. This helps the child to feel secure and know what to expect.
- Play: Play is an important way for children to learn and develop. Nurses can encourage parents to play with their children in ways that promote attachment, such as eye contact, face-to-face interaction, and physical touch.
- Responsiveness: A nurse might observe a parent who is not responding promptly to their child's cries. The nurse could then talk to the parent about how to be more responsive, such as picking up the child as soon as they start to cry.
- Sensitivity: A nurse might observe a parent who is not responding appropriately to their child's cues. For example, the child might be showing signs of distress, but the parent is not picking up on these cues. The nurse could then talk to the parent about how to be more sensitive to their child's cues, such as paying attention to their facial expressions and body language.
- Acceptance: A nurse might observe a parent who is criticizing their child. The nurse could then talk to the parent about the importance of accepting their child for who they are. The nurse could also help the parent to identify positive qualities in their child.
- Consistency: A nurse might observe a parent who is inconsistent in their behavior. For example, the parent might be very affectionate one day and then withdrawn the next. The nurse could then talk to the parent about the importance of being consistent in their behavior. The nurse could also help the parent to identify ways to be more consistent.
- Play: A nurse might observe a parent who is not playing with their child. The nurse could then talk to the parent about the importance of play in promoting attachment. The nurse could also offer suggestions for ways to play with their child.