Definition
The caregiving behavioral system is the attachment subsystem for providing responsive support — competence in giving care is trainable, not mere self-sacrifice.
Origin
Bowlby–Ainsworth lineage; adult map in Mikulincer & Shaver — caregiving complements attachment seeking and exploration systems.
Mechanism
Under threat, people may over-give to regulate self or others — distinguish responsive caregiving from orchestrating external soothing.
Applications
Build one responsive move (clear boundary + warmth) instead of managing everyone’s mood. Pair Self-support.
Sources
Cite
- Attachment in Adulthood. Guilford Press.
Adjacent
Hyperactivation strategies · Orchestrating external soothing