The Influence of Early Life Attachment Style on Adult Attachments

  

Introduction:

Attachment theory suggests that the quality of the attachment between an infant and his/her primary caregiver significantly influences his/her emotional and social development. Psychologists believe that the attachment style developed in early life affects the way people form attachments later on in adulthood. This article aims to explore the relationship between early life attachment styles and adult attachment patterns and understand how these patterns impact relationships in adulthood.

Attachment Style in Early Life:

Attachment styles in early life refer to the quality of the emotional bond between an infant and his/her primary caregiver. The attachment bond theory, developed by British psychologist John Bowlby, suggests that infants form attachment bonds with their primary caregivers to ensure safety and security. These attachment bonds are formed over time and depend on the caregiver's responsiveness, trustworthiness, and availability to the child's needs.

There are four main types of attachment styles that infants develop in early life: secure attachment, anxious-ambivalent attachment, avoidant attachment, and disorganized attachment. Infants with secure attachment styles feel comfortable exploring their environment, knowing their caregiver will be available when needed. Anxious-ambivalent infants are anxious about leaving their caregiver and may show clingy behavior. Avoidant infants are independent and self-reliant, preferring to explore on their own. Disorganized infants display inconsistent behaviors towards their caregiver, often showing fear and disorientation.

Adult Attachment Styles:

Adult attachment style refers to the way adults form and maintain intimate relationships. Adult attachment styles can be classified into the same four categories as those developed in early life, secure attachment, anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, and disorganized attachment. An individual's adult attachment style determines how they approach relationships, communicate within relationships, and react to conflict.

Secure attachment individuals feel comfortable and confident in relationships, trust their partner, and are willing to communicate when experiencing difficulties. Anxiously attached individuals feel insecure and seek constant reassurance, fearing rejection or abandonment. Avoidantly attached individuals are less willing to rely on their partner and prefer to maintain independence. Disorganized attachment individuals may experience anxiety and depression, have trust issues and struggles with communication and emotional regulation.

The Influence of Early Life Attachment Style on Adult Attachment:

Several research studies have shown that early life attachment styles influence adult attachment patterns. Securely attached infants tend to form secure attachments in adulthood. They have positive self-worth and are more capable of communication within intimate relationships. In contrast, those with anxious-ambivalent attachment style in early life tend to have insecure adult attachments, often struggling with anxiety and anger within their relationships. Similarly, avoidant attachment styles in early life are more likely to develop into avoidant attachment patterns in adulthood due to difficulty trusting others and unwillingness to rely on others for support. Individuals with disorganized attachment styles in early life demonstrate difficulties in regulating emotions, forming quality relationships and thus forming disorganized attachment styles in adulthood.

Moreover, research has found that early life attachment style not only impacts the development of adult attachment style but also the quality of adult romantic relationships. A study by Simpson (1990) found that individuals with secure attachment styles tend to maintain high-quality relationships, whereas those with insecure attachment patterns tend to experience numerous problems in their relationships. Additionally, a study by Feeny et. al(2014) found that individuals' attachment styles significantly affect marital satisfaction and the stability of the marriage.

Conclusion:

Attachment theory suggests that early life attachment styles significantly impact adult attachment patterns and the formation of intimate romantic relationships. Secure attachment styles in early life tend to develop into secure attachment styles in adulthood, while insecure attachment styles in early life manifest into insecure attachment patterns in adulthood. In summary, understanding an individual's early life attachment style may provide insight into their self-concept, interpersonal problems, and coping mechanisms within relationships. Thus, this knowledge can assist individuals in forming lasting, healthier, and more fulfilling relationships in adulthood.