Both theoretical and empirical essays point to the
role of poorly functioning caregiver–child relationships in the development of later socioemotional difficulties of children (Robinson, Emde, & Korfmacher, 1997). For emotional development to take place, relationships with caregivers and peers are necessary because they provide experiences and serve disparate functions.Caregiver–child relationships provide children with comfort, protection, and security during the early years,and basic social skills emerge within them (Hartup,
1989; Sroufe, 1997).