Insecure attachment styles develop in childhood due to dysfunctional relationships between caregivers and children. Secure attachment develops when a child receives proper attention from parents, causing the formation of a healthy personality type that is not afraid of rejection or intimacy (Fuchshuber et al., 2019). Infants with a secure attachment style tend to have a reduced chance of being diagnosed with psychiatric disorders in adult life (Nakash-Eisikovits et al., 2002). Furthermore, people with secure attachment were more extroverted, conscientious, and less neurotic (Shaver & Brennan, 1992). On the other hand, those who had an insecure attachment model were at greater risk of developing psychiatric illness (Nakash-Eisikovits et al., 2002). The reason behind the powerful influence of early life on adult behavior is brain development and maturation. For example, childhood trauma can alter the morphology of the amygdala, leading to an excessive level of anxiety in adulthood (Fuchshuber et al., 2019). Three abnormal attachment styles are known: avoidant, anxious-ambivalent, and disorganized (Nakash-Eisikovits et al., 2002). These insecure attachment models may affect personality development, romantic relationships, and self-care in adulthood.
Avoidant personalities are hesitant to build close relationships to avoid being vulnerable. Avoidant attachment pathology results from internalizing such early childhood traumatic experiences as neglect and rejection from caregivers (Fuchshuber et al., 2019). It manifests as discomfort in close interaction with others later in life (Shaver & Brennan, 1992). Adolescents who had an avoidant behavior model had a higher likelihood of being identified to have antisocial or narcissistic personality disorders (Nakash-Eisikovits et al., 2002). Furthermore, these people often describe themselves as inadequate and unworthy (Nakash-Eisikovits et al., 2002). The trauma of rejection and lack of sensitive care from parents may permanently alter neurocircuits in infancy, causing an abnormal attachment behavior.
Anxious-ambivalent attachment style is associated with fear of rejection and exaggerated attention-seeking behavior. This attachment pathology also develops in response to childhood trauma or loss, but these children cling to their caregivers in contrast to the avoidant type (Fuchshuber et al., 2019). Adolescents with anxious-ambivalent behavior were more likely to be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive, borderline, or histrionic personality disorder (Nakash-Eisikovits et al., 2002). Although insecure attachment style is not a prerequisite for developing personality disorders, it is a significant risk factor associated with weaker emotional regulation and social skill deficit (Miño et al., 2018). It appears that this attachment style is related to the feeling of preoccupation with someone or something in adult life.
A disorganized attachment style can be described as the combination of the two other types. This behavior model develops in infants exposed to threatening behavior and maltreatment (Miño et al., 2018). For example, Nakash-Eisikovits et al. (2002) found that disorganized types had a history of lengthy separation from caregivers and physical or sexual abuse in early childhood. These children demonstrate an inconsistent response to detachment from the caregiver (Nakash-Eisikovits et al., 2002). Adolescents with disorganized attachment had an increased risk of being involved in criminal acts (Nakash-Eisikovits et al., 2002). Furthermore, research suggests that they have higher chances of being classified as avoidant or borderline personalities in adulthood (Nakash-Eisikovits et al., 2002). Indeed, childhood traumas contribute to a low level of self-control and aggressive behavior later in life (Fuchshuber et al., 2019). Correlation between adverse childhood experiences and abnormal attachment styles suggests that early intervention can reduce the negative consequences of the trauma.
References
Fuchshuber, J., Hiebler-Ragger, M., Kresse, A., Kapfhammer, H. P., & Unterrainer, H. F. (2019). The influence of attachment styles and personality organization on emotional functioning after childhood trauma. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 1-10.
Miño, V., Guendelman, S., Castillo-Carniglia, A., Sandana, C., & Quintana, S. (2018). Attachment styles and personality structure. Journal of Depression and Anxiety, 7(302), 2167-1044.
Nakash-Eisikovits, O. R. A., Dutra, L., & Westen, D. (2002). Relationship between attachment patterns and personality pathology in adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(9), 1111-1123.
Shaver, P. R., & Brennan, K. A. (1992). Attachment styles and the “big five” personality traits: Their connections with each other and with romantic relationship outcomes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 18(5), 536-545.