Section 2.5 Attachment theories

4.4. Disorganised attachment

Disorganised attachment may occur in children who are cared for by people who are frightening. Children may fear approaching their caregiver because they cannot predict whether they will respond positively (e.g. with cuddles) or negatively (e.g. shouting, smacking). Consequently, these children are not able to ‘organise’ their own behaviour and have difficulty regulating their emotions. Although only around 15 per cent of children develop this attachment style, up to 80 per cent of children who are maltreated develop disorganised attachments. Not all children who have disorganised attachment will have been maltreated, however (e.g. children on the autism spectrum).