Katies_mama, you made some valid points in your post but I'd just like to answer some of your questions. The SS was designed as a research tool to assess infant attachment and is a lab-based procedure (usually university lab), as such there is a standard protocol to follow in order for it to be valid. The reason that I don't think it's appropriate for parents to "label", or code a specific attachment classification to their child is b/c attachment researchers who assess infant attachment are looking for a number of behavioural criteria the infant exhibits during the procedure. These criteria are numerous and complex and it is not simple to code the SS. In fact, in order to code the SS one must become certified through a process that entails going through an intensive week-long (or two-weeks to be certified to code disorganized attachment) training given by certified instructors. Then, you have to complete a reliability component. It can take up to 1.5 years to complete. Thus, even for a skilled coder, the classifications are not easy to assign. So although I agree that each parent knows their own child, their is an inherent subjectivity that makes classifying your own child's attachment style unreliable. Although I do also think parents (and other caregivers) can provide valuable information about a child's behaviours that are definitely useful to clinicians/researchers and can help parents learn how to respond to their child's distress (and interact with them in more general terms) more appropriately. Secondly, attachment questionnaires are used to assess adult attachment, but the interview (adult attachment interview) is by far the "gold-standard" measure which attachment researchers use. But again, in order to code this interview, one has to go through an intensive training, reliability process. Self-questionnaires are subject to responder-bias.
I absolutely agree that it is important to work towards understanding each child's development and understanding attachment is extremely important. I think if a parent is concerned about their child or sees behavioural reactions that are worrisome, then a professional consult may be warranted and attachment-related issues could be addressed. The usefulness of the SS clinically comes in, as you pointed out, in helping a parent become more sensitive and responsive to their child's needs. For example, a child with an avoidant attachment style may not give clear signals that he/she is distressed or hurt, and thus the caregiver may feel that the child is fine and dismiss that there is an actual need. Such a child is probably used to not having a parent respond to their attachment needs (e.g., when he/she is emotionally upset). If a parent can come to understand the harm this is doing, then the parent can learn how to respond more sensitively and become more aware of them and their needs.
Hope I was able to answer some of your questions. Cheers.
I absolutely agree that it is important to work towards understanding each child's development and understanding attachment is extremely important. I think if a parent is concerned about their child or sees behavioural reactions that are worrisome, then a professional consult may be warranted and attachment-related issues could be addressed. The usefulness of the SS clinically comes in, as you pointed out, in helping a parent become more sensitive and responsive to their child's needs. For example, a child with an avoidant attachment style may not give clear signals that he/she is distressed or hurt, and thus the caregiver may feel that the child is fine and dismiss that there is an actual need. Such a child is probably used to not having a parent respond to their attachment needs (e.g., when he/she is emotionally upset). If a parent can come to understand the harm this is doing, then the parent can learn how to respond more sensitively and become more aware of them and their needs.
Hope I was able to answer some of your questions. Cheers.
Explains why I'm with dh...lol! But yeah, the word is a compliment in my house. Our poor children...
