What behavior is described when Anita avoids contact with her mother after leaving for college?

The behavior described when Anita avoids contact with her mother after leaving for college aligns with the concept of emotional cutoff. Emotional cutoff refers to the process in which individuals distance themselves from family members to manage unresolved emotional issues. In this case, Anita is likely attempting to reduce emotional tension or conflict by limiting or completely avoiding interaction with her mother. This behavior can stem from various underlying feelings such as anger, disappointment, or the desire for independence.

Emotional cutoff can manifest in different forms, such as minimal communication or outright severance of ties. For many individuals, particularly young adults transitioning into independence, this can serve as a way to assert autonomy while dealing with complex family dynamics. Recognizing this as a strategy to deal with emotional distress is crucial in understanding its implications for family therapy.

The other options pertain to different concepts in family dynamics. Invisible loyalties involve unacknowledged obligations children may feel toward one parent or family member, while split filial loyalty refers to a child's divided loyalties to parents, which is particularly relevant in divorce situations. Triangulation describes a dynamic where two family members interact while a third person is involved, often to manage conflict or tension. Each of these concepts addresses unique family issues, but they do not accurately characterize Anita's specific