Attachment theory in adolescence and its relevance to developmental psychopathology

The relationship between the quality of early attachment and later psycholo gical adaptation is frequently emphasized. To date, the significance of att achment during infancy and adulthood has been a central focus in the litera ture, with remarkably little attention being given to adolescence. The aim of this selective review is to introduce and critically consider the key co ncepts of attachment theory, and to then discuss the relevance of attachmen t to the period of adolescence. More specifically, an emphasis will he plac ed upon the importance of early attachment experiences in the development o f adolescent psychopathology. Theoretical explanations for this relationshi p are considered alongside implications for clinical practice and research. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.