Attachment Theory and Research

ATTACHMENT THEORY & RESEARCH A READER

Interest in attachment theory and research continues to grow among practitioners, students, policymakers, and general readers. Yet many important texts are hard to obtain, making it difficult for audiences to understand both some of the central aspects and the diversity of this area of inquiry. Some texts are no longer in print, others were not published in English, others are difficult to find. Attachment Theory and Research: A Reader presents a carefully curated selection of book chapters and journal articles on the subject—complemented by previously unpublished material by the founder of the theory, John Bowlby. This valuable new resource provides an accessible and up-to-date view of the concepts, empirical findings, and different perspectives of scholars of attachment.

The book offers both a good starting point for relative newcomers, and much that will interest more specialist readers. Topics include the nature of attachment, the relationship between attachment and temperament, the psychological processes underpinning disorganized attachment, difficulties in the diagnosis of attachment disorders, the role of attachment in shaping social and personality development, cultural differences in caregiving practices, possibilities for attachment-based support for families, the future prospects for attachment research, and more.