Table 3.

Atypical parenting behaviors associated with disorganized attachment (adapted from Benoit, 2000, and based on the Atypical Maternal Behavior Instrument for Assessment and Classification Scale) (Lyons-Ruth & Jacovitz, 2008)

Atypical parenting behaviors	Examples
Withdrawal	Creating physical distance – directing the child away with toys; not greeting on reunion
Fearful behaviors	Frightened/hesitant/uncertain – haunted or high-pitched voice, sudden mood change,   dissociation/’going through the motions’
Role confusion	Pleading with the child, threatening to cry, hushed tones, speaking as if the child were an   adult partner
Affective communication errors	Contradictory signals – inviting approach, then directing child away; using a positive voice,   but teasing or putting the child down; laughing at child’s distress and/or expressing distress   in response to the child’s positive affect
Intrusiveness/Negativity	Mocking, teasing, derogating; withholding a toy; pushing the child away; hushing the child