The Insecure/Ambivalent Pattern of Attachment: Theory and Research

Abstract

Relatively little has been written about one group of infants identified with Ainsworth's "Strange Situation" assessment of infant-parent attachment, those classified insecure/ambivalent. Although virtually all samples contain some insecure/ambivalent infants, these infants are uncommon, comprising 7%-15% of most American samples. Recently developed assessments of attachment in children and adults have identified attachment groups of older individuals thought to parallel the insecure/ambivalent infant group. Empirical work in which insecure/ambivalent individuals are examined as a separate group is reviewed within the context of attachment theory, and a coherent picture emerges of the antecedents (relatively low or inconsistent maternal availability; biological vulnerability) and sequelae (limited exploratory competence) of this group. This picture is used as the basis for additional theoretical proposals, and suggestions for future research are presented.

Raising entrepreneurs: can parenting style amplify entrepreneurial intentions and behaviours?

“…This attachment style is the least understood of the three (Cassidy and Berlin, 1994). An ambivalent attachment is characterised by the infant exhibiting clingy or dependent behaviour but rejecting the caregiver when interaction occurs.…”

“…An ambivalent attachment is characterised by the infant exhibiting clingy or dependent behaviour but rejecting the caregiver when interaction occurs. Research on ambivalent infants suggests that this behaviour is likely to result from experiences contributing to uncertainty about caregiver availability and lead to incompetent exploration (Cassidy and Berlin, 1994).…”

“…Not only do attachment behaviours reflect early caregiving history but they also predict several important aspects of future social development (Cassidy and Berlin, 1994). Such differences in attachment patterns show substantial stability under conditions of family and caretaking continuity (Ainsworth et al, 1978;Vaughn et al, 1979).…”

Attachment and Related Variables

“…Bakıcıları ile bir araya geldiklerinde bakıcılarından uzaklaşıp dikkatlerini ortama yöneltirler. [3][4][5][6][7] Bağlanma bakış açısından ergenlik bir geçiş dönemidir. Bağlanma ergenlik döneminde ergenin yeni durumlarla baş etmesinde temel rol oynar.…”

L’intervention auprès de jeunes mères et de leur enfant : perspective de la théorie de l’attachement

“…L'enfant demeure préoccupé par la proximité de son parent et devient facilement en détresse. Ces comportements semblent avoir pour but d'augmenter la probabilité de réponse de la part du parent dans des situations de danger (Cassidy et Berlin, 1994).…”