Which attachment pattern is characterized by anxiety about closeness and fear of abandonment?

Which attachment pattern is characterized by anxiety about closeness and fear of abandonment?

• A. Secure Attachment
• B. Anxious-Resistant Attachment
• C. Anxious-Avoidant Attachment
• D. Disorganized-Disoriented Attachment

Answer: (B)

Attachment patterns reflect how early caregiver responsiveness shapes a child’s comfort with closeness and expectations about being cared for. Anxious-resistant attachment, also called ambivalent attachment, is characterized by anxiety about separation and a fear that the caregiver will abandon them. Children with this pattern may cling to the caregiver and seek reassurance, yet at the same time resist being soothed or display anger when reunited. This insecurity stems from inconsistent or unpredictable caregiver responsiveness. This differs from secure attachment, where closeness is comfortable and the child trusts the caregiver to be available; anxious-avoidant attachment, where the child avoids closeness and downplays needs; and disorganized-disoriented attachment, where behavior is erratic or contradictory due to frightening or chaotic caregiving.

Attachment patterns reflect how early caregiver responsiveness shapes a child’s comfort with closeness and expectations about being cared for. Anxious-resistant attachment, also called ambivalent attachment, is characterized by anxiety about separation and a fear that the caregiver will abandon them. Children with this pattern may cling to the caregiver and seek reassurance, yet at the same time resist being soothed or display anger when reunited. This insecurity stems from inconsistent or unpredictable caregiver responsiveness.

This differs from secure attachment, where closeness is comfortable and the child trusts the caregiver to be available; anxious-avoidant attachment, where the child avoids closeness and downplays needs; and disorganized-disoriented attachment, where behavior is erratic or contradictory due to frightening or chaotic caregiving.