Attachment Styles

Self-esteem and interpersonal trust interact to form four attachment styles as proposed by Jeffrey Simpson. These attachment styles shape relationship patterns across the lifespan.

Individuals with a secure attachment style show high self-esteem and high interpersonal trust and often form stable, fulfilling, and long-lasting relationships.

Preoccupied attachment style individuals display low self-esteem and high interpersonal trust. They seek closeness and readily form relationships, but become overly dependent due to fear of rejection and low self-worth.

Individuals with dismissing attachment styles show high self-esteem and low interpersonal trust. They feel deserving of relationships but avoid emotional closeness due to distrust and fear of vulnerability.

A fearful-avoidant attachment style individual shows low self-esteem and low interpersonal trust, resulting in difficulty forming close or satisfying relationships.

Although shaped early in life, attachment styles can shift after events such as a breakup, which may temporarily lower self-esteem and disrupt feelings of security, even in securely attached individuals.