Final answer:
Avoidant attachment in childhood typically leads to avoidant attachment in adult relationships, reflecting a continuity of attachment styles from childhood to adulthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Avoidant attachment in childhood may lead to avoidant attachment in adult relationships. This attachment style is characterized by the child being unresponsive to the parent, not using the parent as a secure base, and showing little or no preference for the parent over a stranger. Conversely, a child who uses the parent as a base from which to explore the world demonstrates secure attachment, which is the healthiest form of attachment and the most conducive to positive outcomes in adult relationships. The attachment figure is a secure base, providing the child with a sense of safety as they explore their environment. The child with avoidant attachment does not seek closeness or comfort from this attachment figure. According to researchers Ainsworth and Bowlby, a secure base and responsive caregiving are essential for the formation of a healthy attachment, which can carry over into adult relationships.