This Podcast will explore the effects of a secure attachment bond between a Mother and her infant in relation to Ann Wilcock’s Occupational Perspective of Health. The concepts of ‘do, be, become and belong’ will provide insight into how a secure attachment affects one’s ability to discover their sense of self, envision a positive future and connect with people in a way that fosters a sense of belonging and a life worth living.

1. SECURE ATTACHMENT:
OUR SECURE FOUNDATION
Jessica Bacchus
Occupational Therapy Student

2. OBJECTIVES
Brief history and definition of attachment theory
Occupational Perspective of Health
Personal reflection
Implementation in practice
Conclusion

3. ATTACHMENT THEORY
• John Bowlby
http://attachmentdisorderhealing.com/tag/daniel-siegel/
• Mary Ainsworth
http://www.feministvoices.com/mary-ainsworth/

4. ‘DO’
Dependent upon how a Mother
interacts with her child
Eye contact, smiling and touch all
contribute to the development of
a secure bond (Byrom, et al.,
2010).
http://ysglifespanpsychologists.weebly.com/john-bowlby.html

5. ‘BE’
‘Being’ independent of
occupation leads to self-discovery,
reflection and acceptance of one’s
self
What we do is who we are
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news

6. ‘BECOME’
• A person experiences continual
progression throughout their life
span
• Children with a secure attachment
bond develop positive internal
working models
• Individuals become accepting
members of society
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/576765549380370433

7. ‘BELONG’
A sense of belonging is
connectedness to:
• One’s active engagement in
occupations
• Identity as an occupational being
• Hopes and aspirations
A secure attachment bond
reinforces a sense of connectedness
and belonging in the ability to
contribute to reciprocal relationships
http://21switchbacks.com/power-of-presence

8. REFLECTION
It’s OK to stop.
Smile
Connect
And just be.

9. IMPLEMENTATION IN PRACTICE
Guiding
• Assessments
• Interventions
• Clinical reasoning
Understanding individuals on a deeper level
• Their feelings, emotions and reactions
Advancing our Therapeutic Use of Self

10. CONCLUSION
A secure attachment sets a foundation for:
• Healthy occupational engagement in the future
• Promotes a sense of confidence and self-worth
• Supports a meaningful and satisfying life
• Enhances a sense of belonging
• Ensures a life well worth living

11. THANK YOU

12. REFERENCES
Byrom, S., Edwards, G., & Bick, D. (2010). Essential Midwifery Practice: Postnatal Care. Oxford, UK: Wiley – Blackwell Publishing
Doble, S. E., & Santha, J. C. (2008). Occupational well-being: Rethinking occupational therapy outcomes. Canadian Journal of Occupational
Therapy, 75(3), 184-190. doi: 10.1177/000841740807500310
Hammell, K. W. (2004). Dimensions of meaning in the occupations of daily life. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(5), 296-305. doi:
10.1177/000841740407100509
Hitch, D., Pépin, G., & Stagnitti, K. (2014). In the footsteps of Wilcock, part one: The evolution of doing, being, becoming, and belonging.
Occupational therapy in Health Care, 28(3), 231-246. doi: 10.3109/07380577.2014.898114
Hitch, D., Pépin, G., & Stagnitti, K. (2014). In the footsteps of Wilcock, part two: The interdependent nature of doing, being, becoming and belonging.
Occupational therapy in Health Care, 28(3), 247-263. doi: 10.3109/07380577.2014.898115

13. REFERENCES CONTINUED
Johnson, B. S. (1995). Child, Adolescent and Family Psychiatric Nursing. Philadelphia, USA: J.B. Lippincott Company
Meredith, P. (2009). Introducing attachment theory to occupational therapy. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 56(4), 285-292.
doi:10.1111/j.1440-1630.2009.00789.x
Meredith, P., & Noller, P. (2003). Attachment and infant difficultness in postnatal depression. Journal of Family Issues, 24(5), 668-686. doi:
10.1177/0192513x03024005005
Meredith, P., Merson, K., & Strong, J. (2007). Differences in adult attachment style, career choice and career satisfaction for occupational therapy
and commerce students. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(6) 235-242. doi: 10.1177/030802260707000603
Oxford, M. L., Harachi, T. W., Catalano, R. F., Haggerty, K. P. & Abbott, R. D. (2000). Early elementary school-aged child attachment to parents: A
test of theory and implications for intervention. Prevention Science, 1(2), 61-69. doi: 10.1023/a:1010028113950

14. REFERENCES CONTINUED
Unger, J., & Luca, R. (2014). The relationship between childhood physical abuse and adult attachment styles. Journal of Family Violence, 29(3),
223-234. doi: 10.1007/s10896-014-9588-3
Whitcomb, D. A. (2012). Attachment, occupation and identity: Considerations in infancy. Journal of Occupational Science, 19(3), 271-282. doi:
10.1080/14427591.2011.634762
Wilcock, A. A. (2006). An Occupational Perspective of Health (2nd ed). Thorofare, NJ: SLACK Incorporated