Child Life Certification Practice Test 2026 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

Detachment refers to a state in which a child demonstrates a lack of emotional connection or concern when caregivers leave or are not present. This term indicates that the child is not exhibiting distress or longing for those who are absent and does not seem to feel regret about separations. Children who are detached may show a level of apathy towards their social interactions and are often characterized by their minimal emotional response to changes in their environment or relationships with caregivers.

In contrast, indifference might imply a lack of interest or care without the same connotation of emotional disconnection present in detachment. Social adaptability refers to a child's ability to adjust to various social situations and relationships positively, which does not align with the concept of showing no emotional response to departures. Resilience speaks to a child's ability to cope with challenges and bounce back from adversity, which again does not fit the context of emotional detachment regarding attachment to caregivers. Thus, detachment is the most accurate term to describe the behavior outlined in the question.