Attachment theory : a review of the effects of insecure attachment throughout the lifespan

Abstract

This article seeks to explore the repercussions of an insecure attachment. Based on Bowlby’s attachment theory, the effects of various insecure attachment styles throughout three main aspects of life will be reviewed, namely: interpersonal relationships, organizational behaviour and psychopathology. In addition, these effects would be categorized according to the stages of an individual’s lifespan. The authors of this paper sought to discover if maladaptive behaviours were more salient in individuals with an insecure attachment, and did so by comparing behaviours in the abovementioned three aspects of life with individuals with a secure attachment. Congruent with the hypothesis, the authors found that individuals regardless of insecure attachment type, insecurely attached individuals were more likely to display maladaptive behaviours such as not trusting attachment figures and not showing organizational citizenship behaviours. In addition, insecurely attached individuals also had a greater likelihood of developing psychopathological disorders even during childhood and these may develop further in adolescence and adulthood. Future research could include using the findings from this literature review to implement the attachment theory in therapy and counselling sessions, such as marital counselling and clinical psychology. Furthermore, organizations may also use the attachment theory to pinpoint an employee’s attachment style for better job-fit. Lastly, the cultural considerations of the findings from this review are also reflected upon.