What is Attachment Theory?

Attachment can be defined as an emotional bond or a form of “psychological connectedness” between two people. According to John Bowlby’s attachment theory, the initial bonds that are formed between a child and their caregivers influences the way in which the child connects and interacts with others and can also impact their relationships through adulthood.

A “Strange Situation” study was conducted by Bowlby’s research assistant, Mary Ainsworth, in which caregivers were separated from their one-year-old child for 3 minutes. Based on the results of this study, four different attachment styles were identified: secure, avoidant, resistant/ambivalent and disorganized.

During childhood, these four attachment styles may be displayed in the following ways:

• Children with a secure attachment style are likely to get upset when their parents/caregivers leave and tend to greet them with positive emotions when they return. In general, they are likely to reach out to their caregivers for reassurance.
• Children with an avoidant attachment pattern, tend to be insecure about their attachment to their caregiver. They are less likely to show signs of distress when left by the caregiver and may tend to avoid the caregiver after a separation.
• Children with a resistant/ambivalent attachment tend to get extremely upset when their caregivers leave and tend to have inconsistent responses when they return. While they may initially be happy to see their caregiver, they may shortly show signs of anger or avoidance.
• Children who are subject to abuse and inconsistent parenting generally tend to display disorganized attachment They tend to display conflicting behaviors as they see their caregiver to be a source of comfort as well as fear.

Impact of Attachment on Relationships in Adulthood:

Initial attachments can form the basis of how we interact with our romantic partners later in life and can influence adult relationships in the following ways:

• Children with secure attachment patterns will most likely grow to be in relationships that are secure and reliable. They may be more able to tolerate difficulties in their relationships and manage challenges in a healthy manner.
• People with an avoidant attachment style generally find it difficult to trust others and to get close to people. Due to their insecurity, it can be hard for them to tune in to others’ emotions and offer support as they are primarily focused on their need to protect themselves.
• Children with a resistant/ambivalent attachment pattern tend to grow up to be more anxious and are likely to find it difficult to trust their partner or to accept that their partner can be reliable. They often times expect their partner to understand and know what they need without expressing it to them. Due to these tendencies, they may end up pushing their partners away from them.
• People with a disorganized attachment style struggle with maintaining relationships as they have a desire to be close to their partners, while acting in ways that would push them away. Moreover, they may have witnessed physical or psychological abuse as children and may be likely to imitate similar behaviors with their own children.

How Does Attachment Affect Mental Health?

Studies show that nearly 40% of the population lack secure and reliable attachment figures during the growing years and this can reduce resiliency and increase the risk of developing mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. In adulthood, insecure attachment styles can display in the form of difficulties with maintaining trust, showing affection, managing emotions, engaging in effective communication or developing feelings of self-worth. These behavioral tendencies can negatively impact the quality of relationships with partners and when dealing with children as caregivers.

It is possible to heal insecure attachment patterns through psychotherapy or by getting involved in stable and emotionally secure relationships. Even if these treatment measures come later in life, they can help the person feel safe, secure, worthy and loved.

References:

Amanda Robins, MSW. “Why Attachment Is a Key Factor in Your Mental Health.” Psych Central, Psych Central, 18 Aug. 2019, psychcentral.com/blog/why-attachment-is-a-key-factor-in-your-mental-health#1.

Cherry, Kendra. “What You Should Know About Attachment Styles.” Edited by David Susman, Verywell Mind, DotDash, 4 June 2020, www.verywellmind.com/attachment-styles-2795344.

Lee, Adabel, and Benjamin L Hankin. “Insecure Attachment, Dysfunctional Attitudes, and Low Self-Esteem Predicting Prospective Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety during Adolescence.” Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology : the Official Journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2741157.

Vinney, Cynthia. “What Is Attachment Theory? Definition and Stages.” ThoughtCo, DotDash, 28 Aug. 2020, www.thoughtco.com/attachment-theory-4771954.

Vogel, Laura. “How Our Own Attachment Style Impacts Our Relationships.” Momentous Institute, 1 Apr. 2019, momentousinstitute.org/blog/how-our-own-attachment-style-impacts-our-relationships.