Final answer:
Studies on infants with reactive attachment disorder demonstrate that inconsistent caregiving may lead to resistant attachment, characterized by clingy yet rejecting behaviors, as well as a lack of exploration and difficulty in comforting. Secure attachment is the healthiest form and reflects sensitive and responsive caregiving, while avoidant and disorganized attachments result from insensitive care and potential abuse, respectively. The influence of a child's temperament and cultural differences on attachment are also noteworthy considerations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In studying infants from ages 6 to 30 months with reactive attachment disorder (RAD), results indicate a complex interplay of factors contributing to the outcomes of their attachment behaviors. Mary Ainsworth's seminal Strange Situation experiments highlight that variations in attachment, such as secure, avoidant, resistant, and disorganized attachment, can result from the caregiver's sensitivity and responsiveness. Infants diagnosed with RAD may exhibit behaviors such as rejecting the caregiver's attempts to interact or not exploring their environments due to fear. This is often observed in the Strange Situation, where resistant attachment reflects the caregiver's inconsistent response levels. Additionally, studies like those by Raineki et al. (2012) demonstrate that negative early life experiences can even reshape the amygdala's function, resulting in behavior patterns during adolescence that resemble human mood disorders.
Secure attachment, which is seen as the healthiest form, involves children preferring their parent over a stranger and using the caregiver as a base for exploration, significantly impacting their emotional and social development. Avoidant attachment, where the child seems indifferent to the parent's presence or absence, may arise from insensitive and inattentive caregiving. On the other hand, disorganized attachment demonstrates odd or erratic behaviors indicative of potential abuse and disrupts a child's ability to regulate their emotions.
Furthermore, it's important to note that while these patterns have found support in various studies, they are also subject to critique. Factors such as a child's temperament and cultural variations in attachment practices can influence attachment outcomes, suggesting that attachment behaviors are not uniform across different populations.