CONTEMPORARY ATTACHMENT THEORY - AN INTRODUCTION WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY

Although originating from the study of infant development, attachment theory has recently been extended into domains of adult adjustment, an d this emergent literature underscores the theory's promise as an inte grative framework for inquiry and practice in counseling psychology. T his article briefly reviews the theory's conceptual foundations and ke y empirical findings and traces important conceptual and methodologica l advances. Results of contemporary theory-guided studies of adult aff ect regulation social competence, and intergenerational continuity are selectively reviewed. Finally, implications of these findings for adv ancing an integrative understanding of healthy adult coping are consid ered