Which attachment style is characterized by clinginess and distress when separated?

• A. Anxious-Avoidant
• B. Secure
• C. Anxious-Resistant
• D. Disorganized

Answer: (C)

Understanding attachment patterns involves how infants respond to separation from and reunion with their caregiver. The anxious-resistant (ambivalent) style is marked by strong clinginess and distress when the caregiver leaves. When the caregiver returns, these infants may seek closeness but also resist or be difficult to soothe, showing mixed or ambivalent behavior. This combination of high distress during separation and resistance at reunion best matches the described clinginess and distress when separated. In contrast, anxious-avoidant infants show little distress at separation and avoid comfort, secure infants are upset but easily soothed and resume exploration, and disorganized infants display inconsistent, contradictory behaviors.