How Do Securely Attached Care Givers vs Insecurely Attached Caregivers Respond To Their Partners?

In one study, among securely attached men, higher levels of partner distress were associated with greater support.  In contrast, among more avoidant men, higher levels of partner distress were associated with lower levels of support. These men tend to be less responsive and more controlling care givers.

Individuals who were high in anxiety-related attachment were more compulsive, intrusive and controlling care-givers.

We all tend to give the kind of care that we received.

Care receivers who were high in avoidance tended to seek relatively low levels of support regardless of how stressful they perceived their problems to be.

There is evidence that the motivations for caregiving behavior are related to the person’s attachment status.     

Marion Fallding,  May 2005

Last modified: 05/09/06