Final answer:
Secure attachment is associated with trust and a greater ability to manage stress, with securely attached individuals demonstrating better coping abilities and stress management throughout life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Secure attachment is indeed associated with trust and dealing better with stress. This concept, originating from the work of British psychologist John Bowlby, indicates that securely attached individuals use their attachment figures as a secure base to explore the environment and seek them out in times of stress. As observed in the Strange Situation experiment by Ainsworth & Bell (1970), securely attached children show distress when their caregivers leave, but are happy upon their return, which suggests their ability to manage stress effectively when provided with appropriate support.
This concept is further supported by various studies that demonstrate the role of perceptions of control and coping abilities in managing life's stressors. Secure attachments formed throughout life—whether it be with other humans, pets, or even religious deities—play a significant role in an individual's emotional and social development. Moreover, close relationships, as depicted in Figure 14.23, are shown to not only foster happiness and fulfillment, but also contribute to good health.