Disorganized Attachment
- Monika Bassani
- Jun 15
- 1 min read
Early years bonding with the main carer—mainly the mother—who is to provide nurturing, safety, and love, feels unsafe when the child adapts to a frightening mother; thus, the bond is traumatic. When a traumatic bond is formed between mother and child, this experience will influence all future relationships in the young person's life.
Attachment categories are listed as secure, anxious, and avoidant. The term originated from Mary Ainsworth's research on children and their carers' behaviors. The term 'Disorganized' was then coined following early principles of attachment by J. Bowlby. It was observed in small children whose first impulse was to reach out for comfort as the mother approached but then showed signs of disorientation, confusion, freezing, or wandering. This is when disorganized attachment occurs, and the child believes no one is safe.
Early years bonding with the main carer—mainly the mother—who is to provide nurturing, safety, and love, feels unsafe when the child adapts to a frightening mother, thus, the bond becomes traumatic. The early bonding experience with the primary caregiver, usually the mother, is crucial. When this bond is formed under traumatic conditions, it can significantly impact the child's future relationships.

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