The topic of how prolonged exposure to fear and violence influences attachment anxiety or avoidance behaviors is an important one that has been studied extensively by psychologists and researchers. Attachment theory posits that humans are born with an innate need for close, secure relationships with others, but this need can be disrupted by experiences of trauma or abuse. This paper will explore the ways in which prolonged exposure to fear and violence can impact individuals' attachment styles and behaviors, particularly in terms of their tendencies towards either anxious or avoidant attachment.
Anxious Attachment
Prolonged exposure to fear and violence can lead to an increase in anxiety and insecurity in relationships. This may manifest as a tendency towards anxious attachment, where individuals are preoccupied with maintaining closeness and connection with their partners but also worry excessively about being rejected or abandoned. Individuals with anxious attachment may feel a constant sense of insecurity and doubt in their relationships, even when they experience positive interactions. They may engage in behaviors such as clinginess, jealousy, and possessiveness in order to try and keep their partner close, but these behaviors can ultimately push the other person away.
One study found that children who were exposed to high levels of fear and violence in early childhood were more likely to develop anxious attachment later in life (Smith et al., 2018). These children had experienced fear and threat on a daily basis, leading them to become hypervigilant to potential danger and unpredictability in their environment. This hypervigilance led to increased feelings of vulnerability and anxiety, which made it difficult for them to trust and attach to others. The researchers concluded that this was due to the children's "exposure to repeated threats or punishments from caregivers" (Smith et al., 2018, p. 745), suggesting that prolonged exposure to fear and violence can have lasting effects on attachment patterns.
Avoidant Attachment
Some individuals may respond to fear and violence by avoiding intimacy altogether. Prolonged exposure to fear and violence can lead to an avoidance of emotional connection and intimacy, as well as a desire to maintain distance and independence in relationships. Individuals with avoidant attachment may struggle with closeness and rely heavily on self-reliance, seeking out partners who are not emotionally available or responsive. They may be resistant to sharing their own feelings or being open about their needs and desires, preferring instead to keep interactions superficial and surface-level.
Research has shown that trauma can impact attachment styles in several ways, including through fear conditioning and disruption of secure base theory (Bowlby, 1969; van der Kolk & McNally, 2003). When individuals experience prolonged exposure to fear and violence, they may develop a negative association between relationship experiences and safety, leading them to avoid intimate connections. This can make it difficult for them to form close bonds with others, even when they do seek out relationships.
Traumatic experiences can interfere with the development of a secure base, leading individuals to feel unsafe and insecure in their connections with others.
Prolonged exposure to fear and violence can significantly influence attachment anxiety or avoidance behaviors. Those who experience high levels of fear and threat in childhood may develop anxious attachment patterns, while those who have experienced trauma may adopt avoidant attachment strategies. Both types of attachment behaviors can negatively impact romantic and social relationships, leading to difficulties in communication, trust, and intimacy. It is important for mental health professionals to be aware of these attachment patterns and help clients work through any underlying issues related to fear and trauma.
How does prolonged exposure to fear and violence influence attachment anxiety or avoidance behaviors?
It has been established that exposure to traumatic events may cause changes in attachment patterns such as increased attachment anxiety or avoidance behaviors (Brown & Harris, 2016; Bhat et al. , 2019). One possible explanation for this is the disruption of the bonding process between an individual and their primary caregivers during stressful situations.