Problem:
Respond again to check in with your cohort by asking a question, sharing an experience, responding to someone else, or adding helpful links and resources.
My peer is Brieann Collis
Reply from Brieann Collis
Good Evening Everyone!
My potential dissertation topic focuses on maternal bonding among women who are survivors of sexual assault. The research problem centers on understanding how experiences of sexual trauma may influence a mother's ability to establish and maintain healthy emotional bonds with her child. Maternal bonding is essential for child development, emotional security, and long-term psychosocial outcomes but,, survivors of sexual assault may experience psychological barriers. These barriers might include post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, emotional detachment, or trust issues, which could affect the bonding process. Exploring this issue may provide insight into interventions and supports that strengthen maternal relationships among trauma survivors.
One theoretical framework that could support this study is Attachment Theory, developed by John Bowlby and later expanded by Mary Ainsworth (Robledo, 2022). Attachment Theory explains how early emotional relationships shape interpersonal functioning and emotional security throughout life. In this study, the theory could help explain how a mother's own experiences of trauma and attachment influence her ability to create secure emotional connections with her child. This framework would provide a lens for examining maternal responsiveness and bonding behaviors.
A second framework that may support this study is Trauma Theory. Trauma Theory focuses on how traumatic experiences affect relationship behaviors and development (Davis, 2020). Sexual assault survivors may experience symptoms associated with trauma, including hypervigilance, emotional withdrawal, or difficulty establishing trust. All of these factors may influence parenting and maternal attachment. Trauma Theory would help explain the psychological and emotional mechanisms that contribute to bonding difficulties among survivors.
Both frameworks could work together within this study because Attachment Theory emphasizes relationship formation, while Trauma Theory explains how traumatic experiences may disrupt those relational processes. Once a framework is selected, it influences the entire study by shaping the research questions, methodology, data collection, interpretation of findings, and overall lens through which the problem is examined. Selecting an appropriate framework ensures that all aspects of the research are aligned properly and strengthens the overall quality and direction of the study. Need Assignment Help?
References:
Davis, C. (2020). The Routledge companion to literature and trauma. Routledge.
Robledo J-P, Cross I, Boada-Bayona L and Demogeot N (2022) Back to basics: A re-evaluation of the relevance of imprinting in the genesis of Bowlby's attachment theory. Front. Psychol. 13:1033746.