LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDHOOD ATTACHMENT - IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELING ADOLESCENTS

The theory of attachment draws on several lines of thought to create a n integrated body of knowledge about human emotional development. Atta chment theory is particularly concerned with the development of human emotions from a life span perspective (Ainsworth, 1991), hypothesizing that observable behaviour is directed by people's emotions, specifica lly in relation to important figures within their lives. A recent and essential focus for the development of the theory of attachment is tha t of its long-term implications. Considerable empirical support has be en provided for the premise of the implications of attachment security in childhood for psychological maladies in adolescence. The present a rticle focuses on these long-term implications of childhood attachment and presents both an argument for pursuing family therapy when workin g with adolescent clients and a model for counselling such families ba sed on an attachment perspective.