Attachment Theories in Social Work Practice

adhesiveness Theories in Social browse PracticeDemonstrating knowledge of applicable Theoretical frameworks (John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth and Vera Fahlberg), establish the altercates confront by kindly kick actors in promoting holdfast with lymph nodes in their agencies. raise should include practice examples to support your argument.IntroductionIt is the purpose of this essay to discuss the ch every last(predicate)enges faced by societal do by workers in promoting chemical bond with clients in their agencies. This essay will be down in the mouth down into triplet important percentages. Firstly, in realizeing the basics of attachment surmisal as a broad outline to the essay, secondly a consideration of attachment possible action in limited in relation to the challenges of well-disposed work, and thirdly a a great deal particular proposition consideration of attachment in relation to working(a) as a adept building block for boys aged between 12-16, which is t he specific situation faced by the author.Although the essay will be broken down into these three key argonas, it is to be expected that in that respect will be a certain amount of overlap between these three areas, and in particular than an concord of the issues face by amicable allot workers will also be present in the first section as well as the latter two sections.Understanding adhesion TheoryAttachment theory, in as far as we understand it here has come uped largely from the work of Bowlby and subsequently Ainsworth. Green (2003, p13) notes that The attachment framework has for some time now been very influential and germane(predicate) to clinicians. As a theory it has offered a systematic focusing of understanding and measuring a primary, innate need. It lays emphasis on observable interactions that specify the qualitative aspects of the inter-relationship between two people. Not only is it relevant to clinicians and also to those working on the field of social care and welfare, as it seeks to both define and to explain the relationship between a care worker and those in care, providing a framework of action and first moment of the eventual result of the transaction of care.Holmes (1993, p.67) states that attachment theory is in totality a spatial theory when I am close to my love bingle I feel good, when I am far extraneous I am anxious, sad or lonely. Many of the problems that are dealt with via the means of social care bottom be often as a result of a lack of this attachment, a disattachment as it were of the private from the spatial relationship (often, but not necessarily the mother) that has promoted this sense of wellbeing and comfort. As Simpson and Rholes (1998, p.6) indicate, attachment theory robustly demonstrates, as Steele argues, the need for a inexpugnable base. It posits our drive for a warm, safe relationship as a fundamental motivator. Well-being, in the first instance, depends on the maintenance of a undertake bond. Therefore, attachment behavior which demonstrates the lack of this bond, such as that potentially demo by childlike offenders, shows evidence of all the weakness of lack of this bond, and should be rectified.An important part of this from the social care workers perspective is an awareness of the family unit of the individual inwardly their care. This is particular the grapheme in our current take on of adolescents aged between 12-16, recognising that, as do Simpson Rholes (1998, p.101) that from an attachment point of enamour the discovery that the kidskinren who were classified as securely disposed to their mothers with psychiatric symptoms more often civilizeed later problems than did the children who were insecurely attached to symptomatic mothers. works with an understanding of the wider family situation thitherfore is of vital importance in recognising, canvass and treating those with such problems.Attachment Theory and Social Work ChallengesThere are, of course , particular challenges brought about by attachment theory in a social work setting. These raise questions that need to be answered by a social care worker in the place setting of their clients. There is this sense, already mentioned in the previous section, of the history of the client. This is not just to be dealt with by the social care worker, but will often involve a communication between the care worker in the client, for as Fahlberg (1991, p.6) notes, it is unwieldy to reverse up as a psychologically healthy adult if one is denied access to ones own history.One particular challenge in promoting attachment in terms of social work is that the clients social worker will not practically be available in a twenty four hour way in the same that perhaps the persons primary primary care provider has been in the past (although this may not have been the case at all). If the client has a number of different social care workers, this may make it very difficult to promote attachmen t if the care worker is intended to be viewed as a primary (or only) caregiver. Atwool (1997) notes that consistency in the response of the caregiver is an important factor in building secure attachments. Where the environment is chaotic and the primary caregiver is not available to the child secure attachment will not be possible. It is important in that locationfore in such situations and in the context of attachment theory, that as more than consideration is given to the availability of the caregiver as possible, and also that there should be a high level of consistency in the demeanour and action of this caregiver, if powerful and successful attachments are to be made.There may indeed be cases where a social care worker is, for umteen reasons, potentially the first secure attachment that an individual has had. This may curiously be the case in terms of adolescents who have had a difficult life thus far. Goldberg, et al. (1993, p.45) note how Ainsworth altered our understand ing of this issue, in that Ainsworth contributed the ideal of the attachment figure as a secure base from which an infant can explore the world. Social care work therefore, is a challenge, but can itself if successful provide this secure base from which clients can explore the world anew and afresh.Attachment Theory in a Secure UnitThis third section will focus more specifically on the social work challenges involved in promoting attachment in a secure unit for boys between the ages of 12-16 who are lot sentences of anywhere between one month and four years in hold. Cassidy and Shaver (1999, p.368) note that adolescent boys from father-absent homes tend to show, relative to father-present adolescents, more uncongenial attitudes toward femininity and toward women, exaggerated masculinity, and a relatively exploitative attitude toward females, with cozy contact appearing important as conquest and as a means of validating masculinity (Draper and Belsky, 1990). This will not be th e case for all such young boys, but for almost all of them there will have been a sense of disattachment, and quite likely a failure in ability to form a recital competence. This narrative competence, as described by Holmes (1993, p.9) states that securely attached children tell legitimate stories about their lives, however difficult they have been, while insecurely attached children have oft greater difficulty in narrative competence, either dismissing their past or remaining bogged down in it, and in neither case being able to talk objectively about it. start out of the role therefore of social care work in this context is to begin the process of developing this narrative competence while enabling attachment to gradually take place at a much stronger level than it has done before. We now understand that attachment is so much more than just between two people, but that people develop multiple attachments. In the context of the secure unit therefore, it is important to develop t he attachments not only between the adolescent and the social care worker, but also to do as much possible to promote the attachments within the family unit. Clearly depending on the history and nature of the family, this may not be practical, but where it can be done, it should be attempted, and can be a major key in breaking the cycle of criminal activity. Holmes (1993, p.66) states that secure attachment provides an external ring of psychological protection which maintains the childs metabolism in a stable state, similar to the internal physiological homeostatic mechanisms of blood-pressure and temperature control.For those 12-16 yr old boys, they are at the cusp of their childhood attachments and towards making attachments as adults, and they should be taught and shown by modelling behaviour how to achieve these secure attachments and to improve their lives. Providing the correct environment is vital, as detention can be seen as a fearful place for young minds. Ainsworth, et a l. (1978, p.20) state how crucial it is in a potentially fear-arousing situation to be with a certain(p) companion, for with such a companion fear of all kinds of situation diminishes, whereas when alone fear is magnified. Attachment figures are ones most trusted companions.ConclusionWe have considered therefore, a basic understanding of attachment theory, as well as applying it in a wider sense to social care work. We have also considered some specific challenges of application of attachment theory in the case of a secure unit of young offenders. Attachment theory has much to offer social care work, but there are also challenges in promoting attachment in a social care setting.BIBLIOGRAPHYAinsworth, M.D.S., Blehar, M.C., Waters, E. Wall, S., 1978, Patterns of Attachment A Psychological Study of the Strange Situation. new-sprung(prenominal) Jersey Lawrence ErlbaumAtwool, N, 2003. Attachment as a Context for maturement Challenges and Issues uncommitted at http//www.thelizlibrary.o rg/liz/attachment.html Accessed 25th October 2008.Cassidy, J. Shaver, P.R., 1999, Handbook of Attachment Theory, Research, and clinical Applications. tonic York GuilfordFahlberg, V.I., 1991, A Childs Journey Through Placement. Indianapolis Perspective PressGreen, V., 2003, Emotional Development in Psychoanalysis, Attachment Theory and Neuroscience Creating Connections. New York Brunner-RoutledgeGoldberg, S. Muir, R. Kerr, J., 1993, Attachment Theory Social, Developmental, and Clinical Perspectives. New York RoutledgeHolmes, J., 1993, John Bowlby and Attachment Theory. London RoutledgeHowe, D., 1995, Attachment Theory in Social Work Practice. London Palgrave MacmillanSimpson, J.A. Rholes, W.S., 1998, Attachment Theory and Close Relationships. New York Guilford