Emotional Development in Infancy: Theoretical Models and Nursing Implications

TOPIC. Theories of emotional development in infancy that are relevant to clinical practice.
PURPOSE. A discussion of the complementary theories such as EmdeS (1989) psycho-analytically based developmental model of early socioemotional reorganizations and Stern's (1985a) model of the developing self, with the goal of presenting an integrated view of key socioemotional processes and their developmental foundations during infancy. Concepts such as "emotional availability" and "affect attunement" are examined as vehicles for early socioemotional organization and adaptation.
SOURCES. Relevant literature from nursing, child psychiatry, and developmental psychology.
CONCLUSIONS. Implications are drawn from clinical assessment of high-risk caregiver-infant relationships and early causal pathways for later socioemotional dysfunction. Nurses should focus on the importance of assessing interpersonal variables and their ongoing contribution to internalizing patterns of dysfunctional behavior in children.