Fearful–avoidant attachment is a style characterized by simultaneous desire for closeness and fear of dependency or rejection. It emerges when early caregiving is inconsistent, intrusive, or emotionally unresponsive, leading to conflicting internal working models of self and others. Individuals with this pattern often view themselves as unworthy of care and perceive others as unreliable or punitive, resulting in ambivalent approach–avoid tendencies in relationships. ## Core Functions - Regulation of proximity-seeking behavior - Desire for attachment figures paired with anxiety about dependence - Defensive behavioral strategies - Avoidance of intimacy to prevent anticipated rejection ## Key Components - Negative self-model - Negative other-model - High attachment anxiety and avoidance ## Systems Interactions - Heightened limbic activation to relational threat - Reduced prefrontal regulation during attachment stress ## Clinical Relevance - Associated with interpersonal instability and heightened emotional reactivity - Common in contexts of emotional neglect or inconsistent caregiving ## Related Topics - [[Attachment Theory]] - [[Internal Working Models]] - [[Affective Instability]]