Attachment styles have been studied in Psychology since the 19^th century by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth.  Let’s see what is attachment.

Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space (Ainsworth, 1973; Bowlby, 1969).

Attachment is characterized by specific behaviors in children, such as seeking proximity to the attachment figure when upset or threatened (Bowlby, 1969).

Based on Strange Situation experiment by Mary Ainsworth, the different types of attachment are:

• Secure Attachment: Such children feel confident that the attachment figure will be available to meet their needs. They use the attachment figure as a safe base to explore the environment and seek the attachment figure in times of distress (Main, & Cassidy, 1988). An individual who has experienced a secure attachment ‘is likely to possess a representational model of attachment figures(s) as being available, responsive, and helpful‘ (Bowlby, 1980, p. 242).
• Insecure Avoidant: Insecure avoidant children do not orientate to their attachment figure while investigating the environment. They are very independent of the attachment figure both physically and emotionally (Behrens, Hesse, & Main, 2007).
• Insecure Ambivalent/Resistant: Here children adopt an ambivalent behavioral style towards the attachment figure. The child will commonly exhibit clingy and dependent behavior, but will be rejecting of the attachment figure when they engage in interaction. The child fails to develop any feelings of security from the attachment figure. Accordingly, they exhibit difficulty moving away from the attachment figure to explore novel surroundings.

Attachment can be observed in these four patterns:

1. Ambivalent attachment: These children become very distressed when a parent leaves. As a result of poor parental availability, these children cannot depend on their primary caregiver to be there when they need them.

2,Avoidant attachment:Children with an avoidant attachment tend to avoid parents or caregivers, showing no preference between a caregiver and a complete stranger.

This attachment style might be a result of abusive or neglectful caregivers. Children who are punished for relying on a caregiver will learn to avoid seeking help in the future.

3.Disorganized attachment: These children display a confusing mix of behavior, seeming disoriented, dazed, or confused. They may avoid or resist the parent. Lack of a clear attachment pattern is likely linked to inconsistent caregiver behavior. In such cases, parents may serve as both a source of comfort and fear, leading to disorganized behavior.

4. Secure attachment: Children who can depend on their caregivers show distress when separated and joy when reunited. Although the child may be upset, they feel assured that the caregiver will return. When frightened, securely attached children are comfortable seeking reassurance from caregivers.

While attachment styles displayed in adulthood are not necessarily the same as those seen in infancy, early attachments can have a serious impact on later relationships. Those who are securely attached in childhood tend to have good self-esteem, strong romantic relationships, and the ability to self-disclose to others.

As children if a person has a secured attachment with caregiver is able to have better social relationships and will be able to explore social situations while knowing that they can approach their caregiver when in need for support.

When one has seen support and comforting environment from the caregiver, the person can handle relationships and social skills better. So when you find that someone is confused or is feelings of insecurity or cannot open up or has self-esteem issues, you can check, from which attachment style that person is operating.

We all seek love, respect, security, etc. in any social relationship. We know when we have to distance ourselves when we don’t get those in a relationship, but if we operate from any of the attachment patterns, we may not be able to walk away and/or realise that we may harm other person in relation with us.

It’s not that any attachment style is wrong or right, it’s just the way a child is been taken care of and is attached to with caregivers is the way the child can believe and have social interactions and the way he/she would perceive the world.