Understanding Bowlby's Stages of Attachment: What’s Missing?

Which stage is NOT included in Bowlby's stages of childhood attachment disorder related to mother's lengthy departure?

• A. Protest
• B. Despair
• C. Detachment
• D. Acceptance

Answer: (D)

In Bowlby's stages of childhood attachment, the sequence typically consists of four key stages: protest, despair, detachment, and eventually a resolution phase that might be interpreted as acceptance, though it is not explicitly labeled as such in every rendition of his theory. The first three stages—protest, despair, and detachment—are directly related to the child's response to separation from the primary caregiver, specifically detailing the emotional progression from active distress to withdrawal and emotional numbing. Protest involves the child's immediate reaction to separation, characterized by crying and searching for the caregiver. Despair follows, where the child may exhibit signs of sadness, withdrawal, and decreased activity, indicating a feeling of hopelessness. Detachment is marked by a seeming indifference towards the caregiver upon their return, which can often be mistakenly interpreted as a form of coping strategy. While acceptance can occur as a healing phase later in healthy attachment dynamics, it is not a formal stage recognized within Bowlby's original framework concerning attachment disorder resulting from prolonged absence. Thus, the inclusion of acceptance as a stage of response to lengthy maternal departure does not align with the established stages outlined by Bowlby.

When studying for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) exam, grasping foundational concepts like Bowlby's stages of attachment is crucial. You might be wondering, "What does attachment have to do with my studies?" Well, knowing how children react to separation can shed light on various psychiatric conditions. Let's break it down!