What is a notable feature of insecure avoidant attachment?

A notable feature of insecure avoidant attachment is the tendency of the child to avoid the parent or caregiver upon their return after a separation. This behavior reflects a lack of trust or reliance on the caregiver for comfort and support. Children with this attachment style often do not seek out their parents for reassurance or comfort, demonstrating an emotional distance that emerges from their earlier interactions with their caregiver. They may appear indifferent or even turn away from the caregiver, which indicates that they may have learned to suppress their feelings and needs rather than express them. This detachment can be seen as a coping mechanism to deal with unmet emotional needs in their early experiences.

In contrast, seeking comfort when upset, displaying distress at separation, and building close relationships easily are characteristics typically observed in secure attachment styles or other forms of insecure attachment, making them less representative of the behaviors associated with insecure avoidant attachment.