Attachment Theory: the basics

This book provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to key concepts of attachment theory, from the work of its founder John Bowlby to the most recent research within the field.

The first part of the book gives readers a clear understanding of attachment theory during infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and in bereavement. The second part of the book illustrates how attachment theory can be used to inform clinical interventions with children in different contexts, adults, and within wider health, social and educational systems. Using case examples throughout, the authors provide the reader with a practical understanding of the clinical applications of attachment theory across the lifespan and in varying health, social care and educational systems.

Attachment theory is one of the most important lifespan development theories and is relevant to students and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, nursing, psychology, child development, mental health and applied social sciences.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Concepts

1. Attachment and caregiving
2. Individual and cultural differences in attachment
3. The neurobiology of attachment
4. Middle childhood and child outcomes in attachment
5. Attachment in adolescence
6. Models of adult attachment
7. Attachment theory and adult mental health
8. Attachment theory and parenting
9. Bereavement and Loss: Attachment and Family Lives

Part 2: Applications

10. Attachment interventions in the earliest years

11. Attachment interventions for children in care

12. Attachment in adult psychotherapy

13. Developing services and systems using attachment theory

"This book is an accessible and comprehensive introduction to one of the most important theories in contemporary psychology. The authors skilfully guide readers through the key concepts and applications of attachment theory. It is an invaluable primer for students, professionals, researchers and interested readers in a wide range of areas including psychology, child development, mental health and applied social sciences."
- Dr Angus MacBeth, CPsychol, AFBPsS; Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology; Director of Research, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh; 2022 UNICEF Innocenti Senior Research Fellow

"This book covers everything students and practitioners who are new to the topic need to know about attachment across the lifespan. The accessible writing style and embedding of early theory and research within the biographical histories of the key figures involved in the development of this fascinating theory, makes for compelling reading. Indeed, each and every chapter is highly engrossing and this book will undoubtedly be enjoyed by a wide range of readers."
- Jane Barlow, Professor of Evidence Based Intervention and Policy Evaluation, University of Oxford

"This is a much-needed, contemporary guide to attachment theory across the lifespan, which beautifully summarises a complex and messy topic as clearly as I have ever read it. Whether you are a Professor of Attachment or a student starting out on your psychology journey - there are nuggets of knowledge for everyone. Books on attachment theory do not come better than this!"
- Dr Camilla Rosan, Consultant Clinical & Research Psychologist, Anna Freud Centre