This authoritative work provides a systematic, comprehensive overview of theory and research on adult attachment. The authors—who have been at the forefront of this rapidly growing field since the concepts of ""adult attachment"" and ""attachment style"" were first developed—trace how Bowlby and Ainsworth's original constructs have evolved through the study of adolescents and adults. They review extant measures and analyze how attachment theory has been used to advance scientific understanding of emotions, social cognition, close relationships, psychopathology, and psychotherapy.
"The adult attachment literature has grown tremendously during the past decade, making it difficult to comprehend and integrate this vast and important body of work. This outstanding book is a shining example of how a grand theory can be applied to explain findings that were at one time isolated and largely disconnected, in search of broader organizing principles. Mikulincer and Shaver do a superb job of showcasing just how much the field of interpersonal relationships has progressed since Hazan and Shaver decided to run a little ad for a simple self-report study in a local newspaper nearly 20 years ago. This book is a 'must read' for anyone who is interested in the science of relationships." - Jeffry A. Simpson, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, USA
"A tour de force. In Mikulincer and Shaver's capable hands, the attachment viewpoint becomes a rich framework for understanding and improving core aspects of the human experience: our thoughts, emotions, close relationships, and even the need to face our own mortality... The book lucidly explains attachment theory, impressively reviews the thousands of studies testing attachment ideas, offers instruments for measuring key constructs, and insightfully explains how the attachment approach relates to other developments in psychology. This is the perfect volume for anyone who wants to learn about attachment, conduct research in the attachment tradition, or apply the theory in clinical, educational, or organizational settings." - Daniel Perlman, PhD, School of Social Work and Family Studies, University of British Columbia, Canada
"Over the last two decades, studies based on adult attachment theory have offered a wealth of important insights into the nature of adults' relational and emotional lives. This comprehensive volume provides a clear and accessible account of attachment processes. It outlines the foundational principles and studies of adult attachment, and organizes the large body of subsequent research that has refined our understanding of the key concepts and their applications. The book should prove a welcome resource for students, researchers, and clinicians." - Judy Feeney, PhD, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Australia
"An exhilarating and comprehensive overview of Mikulincer and Shaver's important life's work. The authors' contagious passion for understanding the psychology of attachment in adults is beautifully illustrated in this synthesis of their own fascinating research with hundreds of other studies in the field. This rewarding journey into the vast scientific literature is appropriately cautious, avoiding excessive assumptions and conceptual leaps, yet it has breathtaking implications for helping us construct a fuller picture of the social nature of the mind and how we develop well-being in our lives." - Daniel J. Siegel, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Center for Culture, Brain, and Development, UCLA School of Medicine, USA
