The insecure/ambivalent pattern of attachment: theory and research.
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.
Cassidy
J
J
Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
Berlin
L J
LJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005239:Fear; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D010379:Peer Group; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011582:Psychological Theory; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012106:Research; D012494:Sampling Studies