Can Our Attachment Style Change?
Attachment styles effect everything in our lives, from our friendships and romantic relationships to workplace interactions. Understanding a person’s attachment style can be an indicator of their relationship satisfaction and communication style as well as a predictor of future physical and mental health.
What Is Attachment Theory?
Attachment styles depict the way emotional bonds are formed between individuals, especially in intimate relationships and are often passed down through family generations. They stem from the early childhood bonds with a primary caregiver, such as a parent or guardian, and influence how future relationships are formed. The concept of attachment styles was first introduced by John Bowlby in 1969 and was later expanded on by Mary Ainsworth using an assessment technique called Strange Situation Classification. Some research suggests that genetics and cultural expectations can also play a role in attachment style development.
The Four Attachment Styles
The four attachment styles are: secure, anxious, avoidant-dismissive and disorganised. Secure attachment styles are characterised by individuals who are empathetic, able to set boundaries and feel safe within close relationships. Their relationships tend to be long-lasting and healthy. As an infant, their primary caregiver was engaged and met both physical and emotional needs. Anxious attachment styles are characterised by neediness, low self-esteem and a craving for emotional intimacy. The primary caregiver relationship may have been inconsistent, moving between engaged and unavailable parenting.
The avoidant-dismissive attachment style is the opposite to the anxious style, where the individual finds emotional intimacy difficult and is often independent. Their primary caregiver was most likely unavailable to meet their emotional needs. The disorganised attachment style stems from a high level of fear, often as a result of childhood trauma and can lead to mental health disorders in later life. Their primary caregiver may have been dealing with unresolved trauma themselves, acting as both a source of comfort and fear.
Flexibility And Change
Attachment styles are not permanent and can shift from secure to insecure styles and vice-versa. For example, life altering events and traumatic incidences in later life can lead to the adoption of insecure behaviours. On the other hand, insecure individuals can become aware of their behaviours and beliefs and make conscious efforts to address underlying causes. This can include analysing the root of childhood issues or surrounding themselves with individuals who already have a secure attachment style.
As research continues, future advances in technology such as brain imaging can help identify neural circuits that contribute to attachment behaviours. Societal changes such as the growing trend of online digital networking and differing cultural norms, parenting practices and societal structures may all have an influence on future emotional attachment connections and must be explored further to understand their impact.
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Gavin Crewe is a regular contributor of informative articles to Oxford Home Schooling.