Some developmental issues related to quality of parent-infant relationship

Pages: 193-195
M. Pradhan and Kirti Madnani (Department of Psychology, Lucknow University, Lucknow )

The present paper examines the quality of relationship between parents and infant and its long term effects on infant’s life. Empirical studies suggest that there are some developmental issues regarding above relationship. Feeling of trust, secure attachment and emotion regulation help infants in acquiring abilities to understand and control the experiences of outer world. This may subsequently affect his/her psychological well-being in later life. Infants need to develop a balance between trust and mistrust in forming intimate relationships. The more sensitive responsive and consistent care is provided by the parents the better inner trust will be developed for forming a solid foundation for later crucial periods of life. Another important issue is development of a secure attachment with parents. In this context Bowlby,s attachment theory postulates that with the, availability of parents, repeated interaction, emotional supportiveness, warmth and positive attitude of them, a secure attachment is established. There are some factors like baby’s temperament, intergenerational transmission of attachment and emotional communication that may influence secure attachment. Infant’s attachment with parents has long term effects in later well-being. Attachment security has been found to be strongly related to children’s close friendship, resilience competency, communication skills, self confidence, self reliance in later years of life.