Attachment to blankets, often referred to as security blankets, can stem from deeply rooted psychological tendencies developed during childhood, particularly related to self-soothing and coping mechanisms.
You might get attached to blankets because this behavior can often be traced back to childhood self-soothing strategies.
The Childhood Connection to Blanket Attachment
According to cognitive behavioral psychologist Elspeth Bell, Ph.D., the tendencies we had as children to self-soothe with a security blanket or favorite stuffed toy can reappear as a coping mechanism in adulthood. This is particularly true if those early attachments helped compensate for the absence of secure parents or caretakers.
How Childhood Attachment Develops
- Early Comfort: Infants and young children often find comfort in soft, familiar objects like blankets.
- Transitional Object: These items serve as "transitional objects," helping a child bridge the gap between dependence on a caregiver and developing independence.
- Coping with Stress: In moments of stress, anxiety, or separation, a blanket can provide a sense of safety and security.
The Link to Adulthood
The reference highlights that these childhood tendencies, especially those used for self-soothing, can "crop up again" later in life. This suggests that the comfort and security once provided by a blanket remain associated with the object.
Getting attached to a blanket as an adult might be a way of unconsciously returning to a familiar method of:
- Reducing anxiety
- Coping with stress
- Finding comfort in predictable textures and warmth
- Recreating a sense of safety from childhood
Essentially, your attachment might be a continuation or resurgence of a coping strategy that worked for you during your developmental years, particularly if those early years involved needing extra self-soothing support.
Understanding Adult Attachment
While a child's attachment to a blanket is widely understood, adult attachment can sometimes be viewed differently. However, from a psychological perspective, it often serves a similar function: providing comfort and security in the face of life's challenges.
Factors that might contribute to this include:
- Stressful life events: Major changes, loss, or increased anxiety can trigger a need for comfort.
- Nostalgia: The blanket might subconsciously remind you of simpler, safer times.
- Sensory Comfort: The texture, weight, or warmth of a blanket can be physically soothing.
In summary, your attachment to blankets is likely rooted in early developmental experiences where the blanket served as a source of comfort and security, and this coping mechanism can persist or resurface in adulthood during times when self-soothing is needed.
