| Abstract [eng] |
This article examines the impact of parental separation and divorce on children's attachment. In the literature review, research papers were selected using the keywords “parental divorce”, “attachment”, “separation”, “parental conflict”, “relationship expectations”. The articles used were those published on PubMed, PsyNet and ScienceDirect. Early experiences with primary caregivers are important for understanding how children regulate affect and develop relationships with other people, not only during childhood but also later in life. Although attachment is relatively stable from childhood to adulthood, relatively significant negative life events, such as divorce, can cause an individual to question established patterns of behaviour. Divorce has a significant impact on many areas of life and is associated with psychological, economic and social problems which only increase the vulnerability of family members and the risk of developing insecure attachment relationships. The divorce process has a significant impact on a key condition for attachment formation: the comfort and availability of the caregiver, their physical presence and emotional accessibility during distress. The empirical evidence reviewed in this thesis reveals that the trajectory of attachment formation in children during the process of parental divorce depends on the relationship between the parents, the subjectively experienced qualities of the parents, and the amount of time spent with both parents. The paper also examines the role of parental behaviour and family dynamics in secure attachment, highlighting the importance of fostering a positive parent-child relationship even in the event of family breakdown. Finally, it provides practical recommendations for clinicians and parents to help children cope with the challenges of parental divorce while promoting secure attachment. |
