What type of attachment style is commonly found in maltreated children?

Maltreated children often exhibit an insecure attachment style, which is characterized by a lack of trust and difficulty in forming healthy relationships. This insecurity arises from inconsistent or negative experiences with caregivers, leading to an inability to develop a reliable sense of safety and security. Insecure attachment can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, avoidance of closeness, and fear of rejection.

In the context of maltreatment, children might become hyper-vigilant or overly dependent on caregivers for reassurance, or they might avoid emotional connections altogether due to past traumas. These behaviors are indicative of a broader category of insecure attachment, which encompasses both insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant styles. Thus, labeling the attachment style of maltreated children as insecure captures this complexity, as it can involve elements of various insecure forms.