1. FORMS OF ATTACHMENT IN
CHILDREN
Miriam Galindo

2. INTRODUCTION
• Dr. Miriam Galindo, a privately practicing clinical psychologist, works predominately with
children and families. Knowledgeable in the attachment styles displayed by children, Dr.
Miriam Galindo uses her experience and expertise both as a clinician and as a custody
evaluator for the court system.
In the way they relate to others, and in particular the adults close to them, children tend
to fall into one of four basic attachment patterns. Approximately 55 percent to 65
percent of children show what is known as a secure attachment style.
When brought into an unfamiliar situation, the securely attached child is likely to protest
if his or her parent leaves the room. However, when the parent returns, the child calms
down easily and can return to exploration of the area. This suggests that the child is
confident that their caregivers will meet their needs and help them to regulate their
emotions.
Ambivalently attached children, however, are more likely to be clingy both before and
after a separation. These children tend to be preoccupied with keeping the primary
caregiver in sight in a strange situation and are extremely upset when the caregiver
leaves. The caregiver's return appears to offer little comfort.

3. ATTACHMENT
• The ambivalently attached child appears to have an over-
activated attachment response, perhaps in reaction to a caregiver
that is inconsistent in his or her abilities to meet the child's needs.
The avoidant child, by contrast, seems to have low levels of
attachment to the primary caregiver and may seem not to notice
when the parent leaves or returns to the room. This may occur in
situations where the parent fails to respond to the child's needs,
particularly those of an emotional nature, and thus causes the
child to repress his or her needs for connection.
Some children, particularly those who come from abuse
situations, demonstrate a disorganized attachment style. These
children often show contrasting behaviors when the parent
leaves as well as when he or she returns. Through behaviors such
as running toward the parent and then running away, the child
shows that the supposedly soothing figure is also a source of
threat.