A child often appears confused and shows a mix of avoidant and resistant behaviors when their caregiver returns after a brief absence. According to attachment theory, this child is most likely to have disorganized attachment and experienced which of the following?

Question

Consistent positive reinforcement from caregivers
Abuse or trauma from caregivers
Frequent changes in caregivers
High levels of independence encouraged by caregivers

Answer 1

According to attachment theory, a child who exhibits confused behaviors and a mix of avoidant and resistant behaviors during reunions with their caregiver is likely to have disorganized attachment. This type of attachment is often associated with experiencing abuse or trauma from caregivers. Disorganized attachment typically arises in environments where the caregiver is a source of both comfort and fear, leading to confusion and unpredictable behaviors in the child.