Which attachment style includes higher-than-average levels of anxiety regarding intimacy?

The Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment Style is characterized by heightened levels of anxiety regarding intimacy and emotional closeness. Individuals with this attachment style often experience a fear of abandonment and are preoccupied with their relationships. They may have a strong desire for closeness but also lack confidence in their partner's commitment, leading to a cycle of anxiety and uncertainty.

This attachment style typically develops in environments where caregivers are inconsistent or unreliable. As a result, individuals may feel insecure about their partner's availability and responsiveness, creating an overwhelming need for reassurance and validation. This anxiety often manifests in clingy behaviors or difficulties in maintaining healthy boundaries within relationships, as they frequently seek affirmation of love and attention.

The other attachment styles differ significantly in their emotional responses to intimacy. For example, the Avoidant Attachment Style often leads individuals to distance themselves emotionally from others, minimizing the need for closeness, while the Secure Attachment Style is marked by healthy, balanced relationships where individuals feel comfortable with both intimacy and independence. The Secure-Avoidant Attachment Style, while not a widely recognized term, implies a blend of secure and avoidant characteristics which would not typically align with the high anxiety seen in the Anxious/Ambivalent style. Thus, the focus on the anxiety surrounding intimacy in