Attachment in Adulthood, Second Edition: Structure, Dynamics, and Change

Mikulincer and Shaver provide a wonderfully comprehensive, integrative overview of a rich and broad empirical terrain. The result is a superb second edition that not only gives readers--novices and experts alike--a deeper understanding of attachment 'from the cradle to the grave,' but also suggests where new ideas and research need to head in coming years. The authors highlight several areas of research that have grown considerably since the first edition, such as how attachment theory interfaces with neuroscience, sexuality, caregiving, emotional and behavioral regulation, interpersonal regulation, personal growth, and therapeutic advances. --Jeffry A. Simpson, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota

This is just an amazing book. It is beautifully written and provides a rich synthesis of the adult attachment literature. It is extremely comprehensive but at the same time a true pleasure to read. Mikulincer and Shaver are pioneers who both played critical roles in introducing attachment to mainstream psychology and who, in the years since, have made key contributions methodologically and theoretically. In this book, they go well beyond their own work to cover the waterfront. A classic. --Mary Dozier, PhD, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware

For more than three decades, attachment theory has been our most intellectually diverse and compelling theory of close relationships. This deeply illuminating volume is a tour de force review of contemporary theory and research. Combining insights from neuroscience, psychopathology, and developmental and social psychology, this beautifully written book offers a cutting-edge update to the first edition. Quite simply, it is indispensable. --Harry T. Reis, PhD, Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, University of Rochester

This exciting volume is essential reading for those interested in attachment processes. The authors outline the key principles underlying the classic studies of adult attachment; impressively, they also provide a coherent integration of the thousands of studies that have built on this research. Such key topics as emotion regulation, the neurobiology of attachment, couple dynamics, and group processes attest to the breadth and depth of attachment theory and its implications for adults emotional and relational lives. --Judith A. Feeney, PhD, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Australia

This comprehensive book is exceptionally well written by attachment theory experts. It enhances the reader's understanding of attachment theory and provides a framework for future researchers to use as a guide for scientific pursuits. This is a very useful book for advanced graduate courses focused on adult attachment, such as courses covering personality theories. The appendices with multiple commonly used attachment measures and the chapters on applications of attachment theory in professional practice are extremely helpful for students. --Stephen L. Wright, PhD, Professor and Director of Clinical Training, Counseling Psychology Program, University of Northern Colorado