USING THE ATTACHMENT LENS AND THE DYADIC EXPANSION OF CONSCIOUSNESS APPROACH TO INCREASE SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT

Abstract

When in danger, either we refer to menaces or just novel situations, the brain needs firstly to connect to another human brain in order to coregulate; only after, can that brain continue process/ learn, regulate behaviors and thus adjust to the environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the connection between the quality of the pupil-teacher relationship, assessed from the attachment perspective and different school adjustment aspects. A sample of 40 educators were invited to evaluate their attachment strategies and then assess at least 3children from their current classes(primary school); results for a total of 121pupils were collected. First of all, educators assessed the pupil’s attachment needs using the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale; then, they were asked to assess social competencies using the Social Competence Scaleand the Engagementversus Disaffection with Learning Scale, as facets of school adjustment. Results show that the strength of the pupil-teacher relationship is influenced by the particularities of the attachment strategies of both parties, and, in turn, this relationship, with its 3 dimensions (closeness, conflict and dependence)impacts adjustment. Results are discussed in the light of the Dyadic Expansion of Consciousnesshypothesis–in a safe relationship, both the teacherand the pupil significantly expand the learning possibilities.