Editing Attachment theory (section)

=== Anxious-preoccupied ===
[[Anxious-preoccupied_attachment|Anxious preoccupied]] adults seek high levels of intimacy, approval and responsiveness from partners, becoming overly dependent. They tend to be less trusting, have less positive views about themselves than their partners, and may exhibit high levels of emotional expressiveness, worry and impulsiveness in their relationships. The anxiety that adults feel prevents the establishment of satisfactory defence exclusion. Thus, it is possible that individuals that have been anxiously attached to their attachment figure or figures have not been able to develop sufficient defences against separation anxiety. Because of their lack of preparation these individuals will then overreact to the anticipation of separation or the actual separation from their attachment figure. The anxiety comes from an individual's intense and/or unstable relationship that leaves the anxious or preoccupied individual relatively defenceless.<ref name="Sperling, Michael B. 1994">{{cite book | last1 = Sperling | first1 = Michael B. | first2 = William H. | last2 = Berman | title = Attachment in Adults: Clinical and Developmental Perspectives | publisher = Guilford Press | date = 1994 }}</ref>

In terms of adult relationships, if an adult experiences this inconsistent behaviour from their romantic partner or acquaintance, they might develop some of the aspects of this attachment type. Besides, insecurity and distress about relationships can be driven by individuals who exhibit inconsistent connection or emotionally abusive behaviours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-03 |title=Preoccupied Attachment Style: How It Develops & How To Cope |url=https://www.simplypsychology.org/anxious-preoccupied-attachment.html |access-date=2023-08-27 |language=en-US}}</ref> However, a secure relationship can also reduce anxious behaviour and be a resource for safety and support.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Simpson |first1=Jeffry A. |last2=Overall |first2=Nickola C. |date=February 2014 |title=Partner Buffering of Attachment Insecurity |journal=Current Directions in Psychological Science |language=en |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=54–59 |doi=10.1177/0963721413510933 |issn=0963-7214 |pmc=4157676 |pmid=25214722}}</ref>