Can attachment styles change after trauma?

The Psychiatrist John Bowlby developed a theory of attachment that attempted to explain how negative life events can change the attachment style. Other A study entitled Attachment Security in Infancy and Early Adulthood: A 20-year Longitudinal Study tested this hypothesis and categorized negative life events under the following: “loss of a parent, parental divorce, life-threatening illness of parent or child, parental psychiatric disorder, and physical or sexual abuse by a family member.” The study found that 56% of infants whose mothers experienced a negative life event experienced a change in the classification of their attachment style. In contrast, only 28% of participants who reported no negative life events experienced a change in attachment style. This study suggests trauma experienced by a caregiver or a child can change attachment style. Trauma in early childhood and experienced later in life can contribute to a change in an individual’s attachment style.

Children are very sensitive to their environment, and traumas experienced by their parents, caregivers, or siblings might impact children’s ability to trust, bond with others, and change their perception of the world as safe and stable. Trauma can disrupt the stable attachment or bond between caregivers and children, leading the child to either avoid attachments, crave more reassurance from the attachment figure, or experience a push-pull dynamic, creating both an avoidance and desire for attachment. Adults who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect in their childhood might also find themselves repeating patterns of abuse in romantic relationships. Transgenerational trauma or trauma passed from one generation to the next can impact relationships and contribute to mental health symptoms. As abuse or neglectful behavior becomes normalized in a family, the child may grow up into an adult who often finds him or herself repeating similar situations, patterns, or relationships from childhood.

As an adult, attachment styles can also change. For example, an individual with a secure attachment style might find themselves in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship, resulting in trauma-bonding, which is a powerful and addictive bond that results from a cycle of abuse followed by positive reinforcement or affection. As a result of Surviving trauma or an abusive relationship, one might develop a less secure attachment. However, this is a normal reaction to past trauma and a natural attempt to protect oneself from future abuse. Healing and developing a healthier attachment style is possible by forming bonds with individuals who have more secure attachment styles and seeking professional help.