A framework for how homelessness impacts children's attachments to their caregiver

Abstract

In this paper, I create a framework that explains how homelessness reduces a child's attachment security. Attachment theory states how over time and repeated interactions, children and caregivers develop patterns of behavior that foster the development of children's schemas about what to generally expect from relationships with others. In order for children to develop secure attachments, a caregiver must be consistent and sensitive when responding to their child. Homeless caregivers have to juggle many stressors at once and therefore have fewer mental or physical resources (the effects of caregiver stress) to devote to consistent, sensitive, and responsive caregiving. This theoretically grounded framework proposes that stressors affect homeless caregivers, which in turn affects their effective parenting effort, which ultimately impacts the child's attachment. I describe in detail each of the proposed associations in the framework and summarize existing literature that supports these theoretical processes. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.