What characterizes Resistant/Ambivalent Attachment Styles?

Resistant/Ambivalent Attachment Styles are primarily characterized by inconsistent caregiving. This inconsistency can lead children to develop anxiety about whether their needs will be met. When caregivers are occasionally nurturing and responsive but at other times are unavailable or unresponsive, children become uncertain about what to expect. This lack of predictability in their relationships can create a sense of ambivalence.

Children with this attachment style often exhibit clingy behaviors as they attempt to seek comfort and assurance from their caregivers, yet they may also show resistance or frustration when their needs are not consistently met. This push-and-pull dynamic reflects their internal conflict stemming from inconsistent experiences in their caregiving relationships. Consistent caregiving would not foster this ambivalence, while the behaviors described in the other options do not align with the hallmark characteristics of this attachment style.