Attachment and Psychopathology

This book brings attachment theory and research full circle. What began as a theory to explain pathological functioning, yet stimulated tremendous understanding of normal development, returns to illuminate a variety of clinical problems and concerns. In consequence, theorists, researchers, and practitioners alike will find this volume to be an important resource. What has always been a great strength of attachment theory is its ability to bridge the gap between normal and disturbed psychological development. This volume underscores this contribution in multiple ways, highlighting continuity and discontinuity in development, the impact and limits of early relationship experiences in the family, and the ways in which cognition and emotion shape psychological functioning. It will prove to be an important resource for anyone with interests in developmental psychopathology. --Jay Belsky, Distinguished Professor of Human Development, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University

Attachment and Psychopathology is a stimulating and up-to-date volume on what has become a major topic. It would be hard to imagine a more appropriate group of chapter authors for a book with this title. The authors contribute a wide variety of insights, ranging from incisive reviews of theoretical and empirical advances to new empirical data and clinical case material. Researchers, clinicians, and graduate students should all find the book very useful. --John E. Bates, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Indiana University

This volume truly represents the state of the art in linking attachment theory, research, and clinical practice. The chapters demonstrate the relevance of attachment research to problems that include divorce, conduct disorder, criminal behavior, parenting, and sexuality. Atkinson and Zucker provide a valuable overview of the field that provides readers with a clear understanding of both the scope and limits of the attachment paradigm. One has to be impressed with the growing sophistication of attachment researchers as they test theory against difficult clinical problems. --Roger Koback, Ph.D., Dept. of Psychology, University of Delaware
- An excellent collection of chapters by some very distinguished clinicians dealing with problems of bonding, attachment, and failures of attachment. --The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, 3/30/1997