P romoting positive parenting: An introduction

In this chapter, the authors discuss the theoretical background of attachment-based interventions in general, followed by an overview of this volume's contents. According to attachment theory, infants are biologically predisposed to use their parents as a haven of safety to provide comfort and protection when they are distressed, and as a secure base from which they can explore the world. Empirical studies also confirmed relations between parental (in)sensitive or frightening behavior and children's attachment security and disorganization. In the most optimal scenario of child development, the first attachment relationships of one-year-old children serve as a secure base, enabling them to explore the world freely and to get comfort whenever they experience setbacks. Central to attachment-based intervention is the assumption that a secure attachment relationship is an important basis for children's future development. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.