How can anxious-ambivalent attachment be described?

Anxious-ambivalent attachment is characterized by a child's inconsistent behavior towards their caregiver, especially in stressful situations. Children who exhibit this attachment style often alternate between seeking comfort and avoiding the caregiver, reflecting a deep ambivalence about the reliability of their attachment figure. This behavior typically stems from experiences where caregivers are unpredictable in their responses to the child's needs, leading to confusion and anxiety in the child.

By seeking closeness and then withdrawing, these children demonstrate a push-pull dynamic that is indicative of their internal conflict—a desire for comfort combined with a fear of rejection or inconsistency. This contrasts sharply with secure attachment styles, where children seek out their caregivers for support without hesitation, or avoidant attachment styles, where children display independence and lack of preference for caregivers. Thus, the selected description accurately illustrates the hallmark behaviors associated with anxious-ambivalent attachment.