Parents’ interactions with their infants during the early stages of their life greatly determine the type of attachments that the children form at that age. These patterns are not only vital for a child growing up but also shape the behavior of the mature individual (Mikulincer, 1998; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). When parents are delicately sensitive to their infant’s needs, a safe connection and secure attachment are established between the two. This relationship is highly beneficial to the infant . Being securely attached to a parent or the g uardian gives children various advantages, which typically last forever. Securely attached children are adequately equipped to deal with and control their feelings, feel more sure about investigating their surroundings, and have a tendency to be more empathic and mindful of others. Conversely, insecure attachments result in various disadvantages to the children, and later as adults. This paper seeks to explore two insecure attachment styles, namely dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant.
Dismissive-avoidant
People with this attachment style are associated with a high level of independence which is often an attempt to avoid attachment altogether. They view themselves as self-reliant and unassailable to feelings related with being firmly attached to others to the degree of seeing close relationships as somewhat unimportant (Bartholomew, 1990). Likewise, these individuals have a defensive character. People with a dismissive-avoidant attachment style tend to subdue and coat their feelings, and they have a tendency to deal with rejection by isolating themselves from the sources of attachment. In emotional and heated situations, dismissive avoidants are non-reactive. This is attained by their ability to switch off their feelings. In such cases, they portray indifference (Bartholomew, 1990).
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Fearful-avoidant
Individuals exhibiting a fearful-avoidant attachment style are often linked to past negative experiences such as sexual abuse. Thus, fearful avoidants have a problem trusting people. Due to their past, these individuals view themselves as unworthy of receptiveness from their attachments (Bartholomew, 1990). Likewise, they don't trust the intentions of their partners. Persons with a fearful–avoidant attachment style seek less tenderness from attachments and commonly suppress and deny their feelings. They are also characterized by being much less comfortable expressing affection. As a result, when rejected, these people may cling to their partner. However, they also may feel trapped when they get too close. Consequently, it is highly likely for these individuals to be in abusive relationships (Mikulincer, 1998).
References
Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: a test of a four-category model. Journal of personality and social psychology , 61 (2), 226.
Bartholomew, K. (1990). Avoidance of intimacy: An attachment perspective. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships , 7 (2), 147-178.
Mikulincer, M. (1998). Adult attachment style and individual differences in functional versus dysfunctional experiences of anger. Journal of personality and social psychology , 74 (2), 513.
