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Self-Reflection on Personal Development and Caregiver Relationships
Miranda L. Daniel
Psychology Department at NU
Developmental Psychology
Professor Catharina Venter
August 2, 2024
Introduction
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Reflection is a crucial part of learning about one’s growth and the factors that affect us. , I will
also describe my experiences and the role that my main attachment figures and the environment
in which I was raised played in my life and my personal growth. Also, based on the analyzed
literature and the existing theories, I will compare the current conditions of the adults, in which I
live, to the situation of my parents and grandparents.
Relationships with Primary Caregivers
My main attachment figures include my parents and I have had both positive and negative
interactions with them especially my Dad. Bowlby (1988) posited that childhood caregiver
interactions with infant determine the attachment patterns that are later manifest in a person’s
emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. There were also Significant Relationship
Problems in my father’s side of the family; my father was never around, choosing to be with his
girlfriends, and had anger issues; hence, creating an insecure attachment style where I was
always fearful of abandonment, and I had difficulty trusting people.
However, the recent efforts by my father to bring us close have not been easy to ignore Though
my father lacked proper parental care in bringing us up, he has started coming to terms with the
matter. He has now become attentive to me and is ready to help out which has reduced some of
the childhood insecurities. This change is consistent with the observation made in existing
studies stating that attachment patterns may become more secure over time given the
accompanying healthy relationship experiences (Fraley, 2002).
My emotions which included tears and deep concern where Your mother called them ‘soft’ or
called them ‘stupid’. Most of the emotion regulation theories attribute lack of emotional support,
Self-Reflection on Personal Development and Caregiver Relationships
Miranda L. Daniel
Psychology Department at NU
Developmental Psychology
Professor Catharina Venter
August 2, 2024
Introduction
, 2
Reflection is a crucial part of learning about one’s growth and the factors that affect us. , I will
also describe my experiences and the role that my main attachment figures and the environment
in which I was raised played in my life and my personal growth. Also, based on the analyzed
literature and the existing theories, I will compare the current conditions of the adults, in which I
live, to the situation of my parents and grandparents.
Relationships with Primary Caregivers
My main attachment figures include my parents and I have had both positive and negative
interactions with them especially my Dad. Bowlby (1988) posited that childhood caregiver
interactions with infant determine the attachment patterns that are later manifest in a person’s
emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. There were also Significant Relationship
Problems in my father’s side of the family; my father was never around, choosing to be with his
girlfriends, and had anger issues; hence, creating an insecure attachment style where I was
always fearful of abandonment, and I had difficulty trusting people.
However, the recent efforts by my father to bring us close have not been easy to ignore Though
my father lacked proper parental care in bringing us up, he has started coming to terms with the
matter. He has now become attentive to me and is ready to help out which has reduced some of
the childhood insecurities. This change is consistent with the observation made in existing
studies stating that attachment patterns may become more secure over time given the
accompanying healthy relationship experiences (Fraley, 2002).
My emotions which included tears and deep concern where Your mother called them ‘soft’ or
called them ‘stupid’. Most of the emotion regulation theories attribute lack of emotional support,
