Developing Attachment

Attachment begins at birth and continues lifelong. Much depends not only on the ways in which parents and babies bond, but also on the quality and consistency of caregiving, the safety and security of the home environment, and individual and family experience. While the patterns set in infancy may echo in later life, they are not determinative.

How Many Children are Securely Attached?

The specific percentages of children who are secure and insecure vary by culture, parent responsiveness, context, and specific temperament and needs of both the child and the caregiver. Generally, about a third of all 1-year-olds seem insecure. A linear scale shows 50 to 70 percent children fall under Secure attachment (Type B), 10 to 20 percent fall under Avoidant attachment (Type A), 10 to 20 percent under Ambivalent attachment (Type C), and 5 to 10 percent children fall under Disorganized attachment (Type D).

Attachment in the Strange Situation May Influence Relationships Through the Life Span

Attachment patterns formed in infancy affect adults lifelong, but later experiences of love and rejection may change early patterns. Researchers measure attachment by examining children’s behaviors in the Strange Situation where they are separated from their parent and play in a room with an unfamiliar caregiver. These early patterns can influence later adult relationships. As life goes on, people become more or less secure, avoidant, or disorganized. An illustration shows how the four following attachment patterns influence relationships later in life.

Securely Attached (Type B)

In the Strange Situation, children are able to separate from caregiver but prefer caregiver to strangers. Later in life, they tend to have supportive relationships and positive self-concept.

Insecure-Avoidant (Type A)

In the Strange Situation, children avoid caregiver. Later in life, they tend to be aloof in personal relationships, loners who are lonely.

Insecure-Resistant/Ambivalent (Type C)

In the Strange Situation, children appear upset and worried when separated from caregiver; they may hit or cling. Later in life, their relationships may be angry, stormy, unpredictable. They have few long-term friendships.

Disorganized (Type D)

In the Strange Situation, children appear angry, confused, erratic, or fearful. Later in life, they can demonstrate odd behavior—including sudden emotions. They are at risk for serious psychological disorders.

The Continuum of Attachment

Avoidance and anxiety occur along a continuum. Neither genes nor cultural variations were understood when the Strange Situation was first developed (in 1965). Some contemporary researchers believe the link between childhood attachment and adult personality is less straightforward than this table suggests.

An illustration shows four components, Secure, Resistant, Avoidant, and Disorganized. Secure and Resistant lead to Low avoidance. Resistant and Disorganized lead to High anxiety. Disorganized and Avoidant lead to High avoidance. Avoidant and Secure lead to Low anxiety.