Attachment theory in families: The role of communication

Hannah and her husband Matthew recently had a baby son named Noah. Hannah is nervous about parenting. She remembers how difficult her childhood was and longs to make sure things are different for Noah. Hannah’s mother suffered from bipolar depression. Her father left them just before she started kindergarten and she has barely seen him since. Hannah’s mother was often irrational and highly emotional, especially after the divorce. When Hannah was in middle school, her mother started seeing a counselor and taking medication. Her emotions were calmer and her communication with Hannah was more consistent, which improved their relationship immensely. Matthew, on the other hand, grew up in a large two-parent family in a household filled with love, laughter, and occasional conflict that was always resolved quickly and fairly. Hannah has always thought that Matthew is better at expressing emotions and managing conflict than she is because he was raised in a more positive environment. Hannah gets emotional much more easily and sometimes worries that Matthew will see all her flaws and leave her. She wants Noah to grow up in a positive environment so he will be as secure as Matthew is.