An adult who wants closeness but fears abandonment is best described as having which attachment style?

• A. Anxious-Resistant Attachment
• B. Secure Attachment
• C. Avoidant Attachment
• D. Disorganized Attachment

Answer: (A)

Adult attachment styles describe how people approach closeness and react to the possibility of abandonment. An adult who wants closeness but fears abandonment fits an anxious-preoccupied pattern, often labeled anxious-resistant. This style involves a strong desire for closeness paired with worry that the partner will leave, leading to heightened reassurance seeking, clinginess, and sensitivity to perceived signs of rejection.

This stands in contrast to secure attachment, which feels comfortable with intimacy without constant worry; avoidant attachment, which pulls away from closeness and emphasizes independence; and disorganized attachment, which shows inconsistent or chaotic behavior often tied to unresolved trauma.