What are the effects of parent-infant reciprocity on attachment?

Parent-infant reciprocity positively impacts attachment by building trust, communication, and emotional regulation skills.

Parent-infant reciprocity refers to the back-and-forth interactions between a parent and their infant, where each party responds to the other's cues and signals. These interactions are crucial in building a secure attachment between the two. When the parent is responsive to the infant's needs, the infant learns that their needs will be met, leading to a sense of trust and security.

Reciprocity also helps to develop communication skills, as both parties learn to interpret and respond to each other's nonverbal cues and vocalizations. This lays the foundation for later language development and social skills.

Additionally, reciprocal interactions help to regulate the infant's emotions, as the parent's responses help to soothe and calm the infant when they are upset. This helps the infant learn to regulate their own emotions, leading to better emotional regulation skills in the future.

Overall, parent-infant reciprocity is crucial in building a secure attachment between parent and infant. This attachment provides a foundation for healthy emotional and social development in the child's later life.