ABSTRACT
A large amount of research has been carried out by psychologists to explore the impact of attachment style on adults’ social communication and emotional regulation. Attachment style develops in infancy and has a profound impact on emotions and behaviours throughout life. It provides a template or framework for understanding social world in order to keep safe. In adulthood, increased experience of relationships and social communication improves ability to assess whether situations are safe or dangerous. Adults who had an insecure or disorganised attachment style in childhood, but who have been able to change this to a secure attachment style, are often referred to as having an ‘earned secure’ attachment style. Adults with an avoidant attachment style are also likely to have developed this in infancy, in relationship with a carer who became more distant, physically or emotionally, when their child expressed need, and who emphasised the importance of self-reliance.
