Anxious-Resistant Insecure Attachment

Anxious-Resistant Insecure Attachment is a type of childhood insecure attachment style identified by Mary Ainsworth. According to Ainsworth, a child with Anxious-Resistant Insecure Attachment is anxious about exploring its surroundings, even when the mother is present.

When the mother is not present, the child shows quite a bit more anxiety about exploration and may even show strong signs of distress (nervous, crying, etc.). When mom returns, the child may be ambivalent about having contact and may even show signs of anger toward her.

Many psychologists believe this type of insecure attachment comes from the mother being engaged with the child only on her own terms and not meeting the needs of the child. In other words, mom gives attention to the child once her own needs are met.