Attachment theory was first developed by John Bowlby, when he realized he could classify the interactions between infants and their primary caregivers based on the parent’s behavior and how the child adapted to the behavior. The four attachments a child can develop based on the behavior of their caregivers are secure, ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized. Adult relationships can mirror the attachments formed in the participants’ infant-caregiver relationships. A person who formed a secure attachment as a child, meaning their caregiver was consistently available and attentive, is likely to form healthy relationships as an adult. A person whose caregiver rarely met his/her needs, forming an avoidant attachment as a result, will have difficulty establishing an interdependent partnership.
Read the full article here: How Your Parents Might Be Sabotaging Your Relationships & What To Do About It