Secure attachment (type B) is more likely if: The parent is usually sensitive and responsive to the infant’s needs. The infant–parent relationship is high in synchrony. The infant’s temperament is “easy.” The parents are not stressed about income, other children, or their marriage. The parents have a working model of secure attachment to their own parents.
Insecure attachment is more likely if: The parent mistreats the child. (Neglect increases type A; abuse increases types C and D.) The mother is mentally ill. (Paranoia increases type D; depression increases type C.) The parents are highly stressed about income, other children, or their marriage. (Parental stress increases types A and D.) The parents are intrusive and controlling. (Parental domination increases type A.) The parents actively abuse alcohol. (Father with alcohol use disorder increases type A; mother with alcohol use disorder increases type D.) The child’s temperament is “difficult.” (Difficult children tend to be type C.) The child’s temperament is “slow to warm up.” (This correlates with type A.)
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