Tilknytning

Tilknytning is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to describe the process of forming emotional bonds and connections between people, as well as between individuals and institutions, places or groups. In everyday language it can refer to family ties, friendships, or how someone identifies with a group, organization or locality. In psychology, tilknytning is most closely associated with attachment theory, which seeks to explain how early relationships influence later behavior and well-being.

In psychology, attachment theory was developed by John Bowlby and expanded by Mary Ainsworth. It focuses on the child–caregiver relationship during the first years of life and how the caregiver’s sensitivity and responsiveness shape the child’s sense of security. The main patterns described are secure attachment and various forms of insecure attachment (anxious/ambivalent, avoidant, disorganized). A secure attachment typically supports better emotion regulation, social competence, and resilience, while insecure attachments can be linked to greater risk for anxiety, behavioral problems, and difficulties in relationships. The concept has been studied across cultures, though expressions of attachment can vary.

Beyond the family, tilknytning also refers to affiliation with groups, institutions, or places—such as work, school, or a community. A sense of belonging and identification with a group contributes to social cohesion and individual identity. In public policy and welfare, tilknytning to the workforce or a locality can influence access to services, rights, and responsibilities. In clinical and educational settings, assessing attachment or belonging can inform support and intervention.

Critiques note cultural variation, the risk of pathologizing normal variation, and the dynamic nature of relationships. Tilknytning develops and changes over time and can be renegotiated through new experiences and relationships.