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The insecure/ambivalent pattern of attachment: theory and research
1Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
Insights
Insecure/ambivalent infant attachment, though uncommon, is linked to early maternal unavailability and biological vulnerability. This attachment style may lead to challenges in exploration and later social interactions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Attachment Theory
- Child Psychology
Background:
- The insecure/ambivalent infant attachment classification from Ainsworth's "Strange Situation" is less studied, representing 7%-15% of samples.
- Attachment patterns in older children and adults show parallels to infant insecure/ambivalent classifications.
- Existing research often overlooks or aggregates insecure/ambivalent individuals, hindering a clear understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review empirical work on insecure/ambivalent attachment as a distinct group.
- To explore the antecedents and sequelae of insecure/ambivalent attachment within attachment theory.
- To propose future research directions for understanding this attachment style.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of empirical studies focusing on insecure/ambivalent attachment.
- Analysis of attachment theory to contextualize findings.
- Synthesis of data to form theoretical proposals.
Main Results:
- Insecure/ambivalent attachment is associated with low or inconsistent maternal availability and biological vulnerability.
- Infants with this attachment style exhibit limited exploratory competence.
- A coherent picture of antecedents and sequelae for this group emerges from reviewed literature.
Conclusions:
- Insecure/ambivalent attachment has identifiable precursors and developmental consequences.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the long-term impacts and interventions for this attachment group.
- Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding these developmental pathways.
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.