Avoidant Attachment Style: In Relationships

By: Brianna Richardson

Avoidant Attachment Style

Bowlby conceptualized four attachment styles that result from a child’s relationship with their primary caregiver. One of these three attachment styles is known as avoidant (also known as dismissive) attachment style. A child develops avoidant (dismissive) attachment style, when their primary caregiver is emotionally unavailable, or unresponsive to their child’s emotional needs.

Avoidant attachment style develops in children when his/her primary caregiver neglects or discourages their child’s outward expression of emotions.

This can look like:                                                                           

• Minimizing the child’s feelings.
• Mocking the child while he or she is crying.
• Ignoring the child’s expressions of emotion.
• Displaying annoyance towards the child’s expressions of emotion.
• Rarely or never displaying affection.

How Avoidant Attachment Effects Relationships

As a result of a parent’s disregard for their child’s emotions, their child may portray avoidant attachment style by…

• Detaching from their emotions and feelings.
• Refusing to rely on anyone for emotional or physical support.
• Distrusting others.

This can cause difficulty in forming new or in preexisting relationships during adulthood. Here are some examples…

• Avoiding emotional closeness within their relationships.
• Refusing emotional or physical help from partners.
• Withdrawing during times of distress or during difficult conversations.
• Never opening up about personal hardships or emotions.

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Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/what-is-avoidant-attachmentources

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/avoidant-attachment#what-is-it