4 Essential Bowlby’s Attachment Styles

Introduction to Attachment theory

Parent- child Attachment Styles, established by John Bowlby, proposes that there is an inherent human desire for bonding in some enduring emotional way with the main caregiver. The strong transmissions of such bonds in terms of attachment styles influence a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development and can affect their relationships throughout their life. 

Parent chAttachment styles

Key Attachment Styles

1. Secure Attachment:

Characteristics:

• They feel safe and assured in the presence of a caregiver.
• They will explore their environment with the caregiver as a safe base.
• Separation causes distress, but this is easily relieved soon after the reunion.
• Generally trusting of people, and have a positive outlook.

Parental Factors:

• Responsive and sensitive caregiving.
• A consistent availability of emotional support.
• Prompt and appropriate responses to the child’s needs. 

2. Anxious-Resistant (Ambivalent) Attachment:

Characteristics:

• Children are clingy and anxious, even in the presence of the caregiver.   
• They are upset during the separation process and have an easy time soothing him/her during the reunion.   
• They may display ambivalent behavior, approaching close to their caregivers, only to pull away.   
• They often have difficulty exploring their environment due to anxiety.   

Parental Factors:

• Inconsistent caregiving, sometimes responsive and sometimes unresponsive.   
• Might be intrusive or overbearing at times.   
• Because these parents respond unpredictably or unreliably to the needs of their child. 

3. Avoidant attachment:

Characteristics

• The children are independent and often emotionally detached.   
• They show little distress on separation; they will subsequently avoid or ignore the caregiver upon reunion.   
• They tend to be close or avoid intimacy.   
• They express their emotions not well and have usually learned to hide their needs.   

Parental factors:

• Rejecting or emotionally unavailable caregiving.   
• Can be neglectful or dismissive of children’s emotional needs.   
• Can be overly critical or emotionally distant.   

4. Disorganized Attachment:

Characteristics:

• Children exhibit contradictory and confused behaviors.
• The child may approach the caregiver while simultaneously looking away or freezing.
• The child is dazed or confused and his or her behavior is unpredictable and erratic.
• This style is often associated with frightening or abusive caregiving.

Parental Factors:

• Frightening or abusive caregiving.
• May exhibit frightening or frightening-intrusive behaviors towards the child.
• May be unpredictable and inconsistent in their behavior. 

Attachment Styles Evaluation

The Strange Situation is a standardized laboratory test performed to assess attachment styles in infants and children. It includes a sequence of separations and reunions with the caregiver, allowing a close observation of the infant’s behavior.    

Attachment Styles – Long-Term Effect:

Secure Attachment:

• Healthy Self-Esteem
• Healthy Relationships
• Ability to make and maintain strong emotional bonds
• Capacity of a healthy coping mechanism
• Increased empathy and compassion

Insecure Attachment: 

• Inability to establish and maintain close relationships 
• Embarrassment and depression
• Difficulties with relationships in adulthood
• Incessant risk of mental health problems
• Greater difficulty to regulate emotions 

Essential Considerations:

• Attachment styles are not rigid dispositions but can change in accordance with experience. 
• Parental responsiveness and sensitivity are eminent factors in determining the style of attachments; however, these dispositions can also be influenced by other factors like temperament or life stressors. 
• In psychotherapy and ideal interventions, attachment styles can be evaluated and dealt with.

Conclusion

Attachment develops during childhood; it remains a major influence in human development. Understanding different attachment styles will help make sense of individual differences in behavior, relationships, and mental health. Cultivating secure attachment relationships will allow for the growth of children into emotionally healthy and well-adjusted adulthood. 

Read about : Attachment, 8 Types of Love & Flourishing Relationship

References

• Ciccarelli, S, & White, J, N. (2017). Psychology. Global Edition, Pearson
• Lally, M., & Valentine-French, S. (2019). Lifespan Development: A Psychological Perspective (2nd ed.). Open Textbook Library.