Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be

Attachment theory, which Dr. Kennedy’s approach is based on, is a theory in developmental psychology that posits that the need to form a close emotional bond with the parents is an innate instinct in a newborn. This bond develops within the first six months of an infant’s life, provided there is a responsive caregiver present. British psychologist John Bowlby initially developed the theory. Based on his studies, he believed that attachment performed two functions: survival, as the higher the attachment, the closer the proximity of the caregiver, ensuring the newborn is kept safe; and emotional regulation following distressing events. Mary Ainsworth carried out further work in the area of attachment using the Strange Situation experiment, after which she proposed different patterns of attachment displayed by children, which reflect different ways of regulating emotions.

Emotional dysregulation is a state in which an emotional response does not fall within a normally expected range of reaction, owing to the emotion being poorly regulated (“Emotional Dysregulation: What It Is and How You Can Cope.” WebMD). Emotional dysregulation in adults can be displayed in a number of ways, from mental health issues like anxiety and depression to behavioral signs like self-harm and excessive substance use.