On a very simplistic level, John Bowlby (considered to be the “father” of attachment theory) discovered through his interest in ethology (the study of animal behavior in natural environments) that attachment behavior was about proximity seeking. Attachment theory holds that when humans and certain of the animal species perceive that there is a threat close by, they will engage in some form of proximity-seeking behavior so as to bring about increased levels of safety, protection, security, and comfort.

In thinking about attachment, the key point to keep in mind is that proximity seeking is not the same as actual physical contact, such as holding or cuddling (although physical contact does play a role). Attachment behavior is more caught up with the complex system of signaling attachment needs that takes place between, say, an infant and her primary caregiver, a young pup and his mother, or even an adult woman and her partner. As attachment researchers are quick to point out, attachment behavior under certain circumstances, may not result in bring caregivers into closer proximity. The young child, pup, or lover may then be forced to alter his or her pattern of signaling attachment needs so that some sense of proximity to caregivers is achieved. Attachment needs may be accommodated through psychological and physiological processes that allow for a balance between physical and symbolic forms of closeness. As an example, a distancing form of attachment may call for physical distance while at the same time amplifying the need for symbolic closeness. Lets look at an example.

Researchers are beginning to find an association between insecure patterns of attachment and certain forms of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). What these researchers are finding is that distractibility and disruptive behavior in young school-aged children may in fact represent a system of signaling that expresses attempts at balancing attachment needs with the requirements imposed by a school environment. Lets look at a couple of specific examples where attachment may play a pivotal role in the life of an organization.

Organizations that work with teenaged mothers-to-be

Attachment researchers have evaluated the attachment style of mothers-to-be, and then compared these styles to the attachment styles displayed by their infants at around age eighteen months. These studies show that there is a high correlation between the attachment style of the mother and her infant. What is important to note here is that the attachment style displayed by the mother before the birth of her child may say something about the nature of the attachment relationship after the baby is born. Service providers may wish to assess and address the attachment needs of teenaged mothers-to-be as one possible path toward improving the nature of the attachment relationship between mother and child once the baby is born. Researchers have also discovered that the nature of the attachment relationship between the mother and father or between the mother and her family may also greatly impact the attachment style of the baby once she or he is born.

Organizations that works with adoption and foster care

One has to only look at the human tragedy expressed by the scenes coming out of the orphanages in Romania to recognize what could happen if attachment needs go unmet for extended periods of time. Attachment researchers are just now beginning to grapple with the perplexing question of what happens when attachment styles become disorganized or chaotic. The point to keep in mind here is that an insecure form of attachment is still organized, that is to say, the patterns of signaling attachment needs are still organized and purposeful (like the child who disrupts the classroom). Scenes of children rocking compulsively, banging their heads, or staring off into space may indicate disorganized or chaotic forms of signaling attachment needs. Scenes from puppy mills will often include dogs running in circles as the result of prolonged confinement, or gnawing on metal bars until their mouths bleed. Organizations working in the areas of foster care and adoption, whether for children or animals, would be well-served by increasing their level of knowledge in the area of attachment.

Organizations that work with grief and bereavement

Attachment researchers are discovering that unresolved forms of grief and mourning may play a role in disrupting attachment patterns. Here's one possible scenario. A mother looses her unborn child because of a miscarriage. She then goes on to give birth to a healthy child. One particular study suggests that if the mother continues to have difficulty resolving the loss of the first child, her grieving process may adversely affect her attachment relationship with her second child. Grieving and loss have the potential to affect attachment relationships at any age. If a child or young adult looses a primary attachment figure—a mother, father, or close relative—then they will be confronted with the challenge of having to adapt their particular style of signaling attachment needs in a way that accommodates this often new experience of profound loss. Organizations that work with issues around grief and loss would be well-served by an attachment focus that will allow for a recognition of shifting and, hopefully, adaptive attachment patterns.

Closing remarks

In thinking about attachment, there are a couple of additional points to keep in mind. Even though a history of secure attachment can potentially give a person a level of emotional, cognitive, and spiritual protection from the vicissitudes of life, certain forms of abuse, neglect, or trauma can exceed that level of protection in myriad ways. In addition, there may be physiological reasons why patterns of attachment have become disrupted.

Hopefully the above brief (and admittedly sketchy) discussion will inspire you to begin looking at how patterns of attachment behavior play a role in the services your organization provides. As you contemplate attachment, proximity-seeking, and the complex patterns of behavior involved in signaling attachment needs, keep in mind that staff and volunteers are not immune from being influenced by these patterns. If your organization regularly operates in environments where attachment behavior can be easily and intensely triggered (the areas of domestic violence and animal rescue come to mind), you may want to look at developing an organizational policy that governs attachment safety and concern within your organization. If one's ability to send and receive the signals used to convey and assuage attachment needs (say, as the result of burnout or secondary trauma) then one's ability to ask for help or engage in proper self care is greatly impeded.