Van Den Boom's Reasearchment Analysis

The importance of developing a secure attachment in the first year of life has been examined throughout research. Securely attached infants and children show greater positive affect when problem-solving, greater social competence, and higher levels of empathy and compliance (Gartstein & Iverson, 2014). Researchers have explored the affect temperamental differences have on infant-mother interactions. According to Kaiser and Rasminksy, temperament influences not only what a baby needs, but also the caregiver’s response (2017). The author will discuss van den Boom’s intervention strategy to improve a mother’s ability to monitor, perceive and respond to her infant, promoting a secure attachment (van den Boom, 1994).
Targeting irritable babies
who exhibit few positive social interactions, intervention techniques encompassed skills-training for the mother to learn to sensitively respond to her baby’s signals (van den Boom, 1994). Research has shown that maternal sensitivity is found to mediate the effect of irritability on attachment security in the first year of life (Gartstein & Iverson, 2014). Secure attachment is promoted by receiving responsive care that is warm and consistent. The author surmises that van den Boom’s training included instructions on the importance of the mother holding her baby often, while taking joy in being with him (Cooper, Hoffman, Marvin & Powell, 2000). Behaviors, such as smiling or vocalizing, serve as positive signals of the infant's interests, and also supports the baby in eventually sharing his or her feelings (Gartstein & Iverson, 2014). “Parents who believe that their children will be responsive to their efforts to parent may be more likely to invest time in effective parenting practices, and mother's perceived self-efficacy is likely an important determinant of whether or not she responds sensitively to her child” (Gartstein & Iverson, 2014, p. 264). Receiving training and support during the study, may have increased the mother’s confidence in responding and interacting with her infant. Conversely, as the mother is more responsive and sensitive to her baby, he or she is reassured, less irritable, and has a greater opportunity for a secure attachment, as resulted in the study (Gartstein & Iverson, 2014).
The relationship with a primary caregiver, is of ultimate importance for a child (Kaiser & Rasminsky, 2017).
Response to a child’s temperament can be influenced by the mother’s temperament (Gartstein & Iverson, 2014). This author believes the mothers were taught to remain with the baby and work through difficult feelings, affirming that she is available during problematic times (Cooper, Hoffman, Marvin & Powell, 2000). Being responses to a child’s needs when they are upset, is vital to developing a secure attachment. Researchers have concluded that ignoring an infant when they are crying, will lead to more episodes of crying at later ages (van den Boom, 1994). When the mother responds, and the child feels at ease, the attachment figure serves as a secure base of operations. When the child feels threatened, he or she seeks to be closer to the mother (Gartstein & Iverson, 2014). As the mother responds to the baby, he is learning basic trust, and a secure attachment is being forged (Cooper, Hoffman, Marvin & Powell,
2000). In conclusion, temperament can affect mother-infant attachment.
Being influential in the relationship between a mother and infant, infant irritability can make it difficult for a mother to adjust and interact with her child (van den Boom, 1994). Having an irritable infant resulted in a negative cycle of interaction with the mother; however, the intervention strategy enhanced maternal sensitive responsiveness to her infant. Instructions on the appropriate response to the baby’s signals resulted in less irritable babies, and enabled the mother to have quality interactions with their child (van den Boom, 1994). A mother must learn to read her infant, and respond
appropriately