PDD

PDD

1. Robertson and Bowlby (1952) believe that short term separation from an attachment figure leads to distress.

2. Protest: The child cries, screams and protests angrily when the parent leaves. Panic is usual. This can last from a few hours to a few weeks!

   • Despair: The child’s protesting begins to stop and they appear to be calmer although still upset. The child refuses others’ attempts for comfort and often seems withdrawn and uninterested in anything (i.e. apathetic). They continue to cry occasionally and call for mother.
     • Detachment: The child cries less and is more interested its surroundings and will start to engage with other people again.

3. Onlookers may think that the child is getting over the separation, whereas in fact the child is hiding its feelings. When the mother returns the child shows little interest and may even be angry or push the mother away. However, the attachment is soon rebuilt.

4. Note, the initial distress varies according to the attachment security and gender of the child. If the child is securely attached it copes better with separation. If the child is avoidant then it gets the full blown PDD effects.