Life Management Science · Exercise 3

Exercise 3: Identifying Attachment Stressors

Question 1: John missed out on security (unstable living), stability (frequent moves), consistency (inconsistent parenting), emotional support (mother's emotional unavailability), and positive role models (Felitti et al., 1998; Lahousen et al., 2019).
Question 2: John likely developed insecure attachment — struggling to trust others, fearing abandonment, or avoiding close bonds.
Question 3: Therapy, building a support network, practicing vulnerability, setting realistic expectations, and engaging in community activities can support healing.
Question 4: Instability may lead to difficulty with commitment and persistence; mistrust of authority figures or colleagues can also develop.
Question 5: John could join community groups, volunteer, build routine social contact, and seek peer support networks.

Negative experiences, including adverse childhood events, can create stressors that affect attachment patterns. Examine a scenario and identify stressors and unmet childhood needs.