A three-year-old who cries inconsolably when separated from her mother and remains distressed upon her return is best described as which attachment style?

A three-year-old who cries inconsolably when separated from her mother and remains distressed upon her return is best described as which attachment style?

• A. Secure
• B. Resistant/Ambivalent
• C. Avoidant
• D. Disorganized

Answer: (B)

This item tests understanding of how children express attachment styles through separation and reunion with a caregiver. Crying inconsolably when separated and remaining distressed after the mother returns points to resistant/ambivalent attachment. In this pattern, the child is intensely anxious when the caregiver leaves and, upon return, seeks closeness but remains hard to soothe and may show ambivalence or resistance. The contrast is with secure attachment (upset during separation but quickly calmed by reunion), avoidant attachment (little distress and avoidance of contact), and disorganized attachment (inconsistent or bizarre behaviors). The described pattern most closely matches resistant/ambivalent.

This item tests understanding of how children express attachment styles through separation and reunion with a caregiver. Crying inconsolably when separated and remaining distressed after the mother returns points to resistant/ambivalent attachment. In this pattern, the child is intensely anxious when the caregiver leaves and, upon return, seeks closeness but remains hard to soothe and may show ambivalence or resistance. The contrast is with secure attachment (upset during separation but quickly calmed by reunion), avoidant attachment (little distress and avoidance of contact), and disorganized attachment (inconsistent or bizarre behaviors). The described pattern most closely matches resistant/ambivalent.