Apego

Apego is the emotional bond that develops between individuals, most commonly between a child and a caregiver. In psychology, apego describes how this bond forms, how it guides behavior under stress, and how a sense of security or insecurity arises from early interactions. The concept is central to attachment theory, which was developed in the mid-20th century by John Bowlby and later extended by Mary Ainsworth and others.

Attachment theory proposes that early experiences with caregivers shape internal representations of self and others, known as internal working models. These models influence how people seek proximity, regulate emotions, and explore unfamiliar situations. Empirical work in the 1960s and 1970s, including the Strange Situation procedure, identified patterns in infant-caregiver interactions that correlate with later social and emotional development.

Based on observed behaviors associated with closeness, four broad attachment styles are commonly described: secure, anxious-ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized. Secure attachment reflects reliable care and causes balanced exploration and emotion regulation. Anxious-ambivalent attachment features intense distress and fear of abandonment. Avoidant attachment involves emotional distance and self-reliance. Disorganized attachment shows inconsistent or contradictory behaviors, often linked to unresolved trauma.

Beyond childhood, apego affects adult relationships, parenting, and clinical outcomes. Adult attachment styles influence romantic partnerships, friendship networks, and responsiveness to stress. Assessment methods include self-report measures and interviews that gauge patterns of intimacy, dependency, and fear of rejection. Cross-cultural research highlights both universal features and cultural variation in how attachment is expressed and nurtured.