Final answer:
Insecure attachment to a mother during childhood, such as avoidant or resistant attachment, is linked to negative outcomes including higher stress, potential for future parenting issues, and behavioral problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Less secure attachment to a mother during childhood is linked to a variety of negative outcomes. According to attachment theory by John Bowlby, secure attachment provides a secure base for children which is essential for normal social and emotional development. Conversely, developmental studies suggest that children with avoidant attachment or resistant attachment may experience issues such as difficulties coping with stress, including the stress of becoming a new parent, and increased risk of child abuse and neglect. Specifically, avoidant attachment, where the child does not view the parent as a source of security and is indifferent to their presence, may occur with caregivers who are insensitive to the child's needs. In resistant attachment, children exhibit clingy yet rejecting behavior towards the caregiver, likely due to the caregivers' inconsistent responsiveness.
These attachment styles can have long-lasting implications, influencing behaviors into adolescence and beyond. Warm, responsive parent-child relationships, on the other hand, tend to result in positive child outcomes such as better school performance and fewer behavioral problems. This demonstrates the critical role of sensitive and responsive caregiving in early childhood development.