Developmental perspective: Child development consists of a series of stage-relevant tasks that are essential to learn, which lead to the mastery of subsequent developmental tasks over time. The most important task of the first year of life is the establishment of secure attachment, resulting in trust, self-confidence, positive relationships, optimistic attitude, resilience, and success.
In recent years there has been significant interest in adult attachment styles and how these patterns of attachment influence adult intimate and romantic relationships (Johnson 2008; Levine and Heller 2010). Attachment styles learned in childhood tend to endure throughout life. Thus, each of the four childhood attachment styles has a corresponding adult version. Securely attached children become autonomous adults, who are comfortable in warm, loving, and emotionally close relationships. Avoidantly attached children become dismissive adults, who are distant and rejecting in their intimate relationships. Anxiously attached children develop into preoccupied adults, chronically insecure, needy, and worried about abandonment. Children with disorganized attachment, a result of severe maltreatment, turn into unresolved adults, who display PTSD symptoms, cannot tolerate emotional closeness,and have serious psychosocial problems.
The quality of adult attachment relationships affects emotional and physical health. Just as a secure attachment in childhood is associated with overall well-being, attachment security in adulthood is a primary factor linked to a healthy and meaningful life.
Dr . Terry Levy and Mr. Michael Orlans co-wrote this article. They are the co-authors of two books and co-lead seminars on attachment and trauma. They welcome hearing from you.
