Paternal Visits in Hospital and Attachment theory

It's crazy to think that up until the 1950s children were not allowed to see their parents whilst admitted in hospital. Months could go by without a child having the opportunity to see their parents which as a result caused significant developmental issues.

This change to the process of hospitalisation was led by John Bowlby and James Robertson who worked together to create the controversial documental titled, 'a two year old goes to hospital'. The documentary illustrated the negative affects that parental absence had on a 2 year old girl who was exhibiting symptoms of emotional dysregulation at hospital, due to not seeing her mum.

Attachment Theory was also developed during this time by John Bowlby, as well as Mary Ainsworth, which investigated the negative effects of children who do not receive consistent love and affection form their parents or guardians during their developmental years. Attachment theory centred around the 'styles' in which people behave with during relationships as adults; either 'secure' or 'insecure'. For those with insecure attachment styles, Bowlby and Ainsworth identify three different classifications to how this was exhibited; 'anxious', 'avoidant', or 'disorganised'.

The theory of Attachment styles has become a popular topic on social media, often serving as a helpful framework for people to try and make sense of failed, past relationships. While exploring attachment styles however, it is important to focus more on one's own potential patterns of insecure behaviour. Because ultimately, a person who is able to develop healthy attachment styles, will be much less likely to be affected by others around them that are insecure; ultimately leading to healthier and more successful relationships.

For more information on this and where I got my knowledge base from, check out the chapter one of the book, 'Mentalizing in the development and treatment of attachment trauma, by Allen, J. G. (2018).