Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

A 10-month-old infant appears unaffected when parents leave. What is the most appropriate explanation for this behavior?

1. Experiencing refusal

2. Attachment issues

3. Experiencing detachment

4. Seeking independence

The correct answer is: Experiencing detachment

When a 10-month-old infant appears unaffected when parents leave, it is most appropriate to interpret this behavior as experiencing detachment. In the context of child development, particularly in the attachment theory framework, detachment can occur as an initial token of emotional development, where the child seems to be indifferent to the absence of the caregiver. This can sometimes be interpreted as a phase where the child is beginning to navigate their social environments with a degree of emotional separation from their primary attachment figures. While younger infants typically demonstrate strong attachment behaviors—such as distress when separated—older infants may showcase different coping mechanisms. This detachment indicates a response the child may have developed due to repeated experiences of separation from their parents. It’s important to differentiate this from attachment issues, which imply deeper emotional concerns or problems in establishing bonds with caregivers. The child’s indifference is not necessarily indicative of a lack of attachment but may reflect a developmental stage where they are learning to manage separation more effectively. The other options, such as seeking independence, do play a role in developmental behavior; however, they do not fully capture the emotional response linked to the absence of parents at this age. Refusal or active distress usually signify attachment responses in toddlers which clearly differ from the observed indifference