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What is Adult Attachment?

Clinical Social Work Journal volume 36, pages 21–30 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of adult attachment. Although attachment theory is now getting a great deal of attention, there is not yet a clear picture of what it means to be attached in adulthood or what the clinical applications of the approach might be. Using Bowlby’s distinctive ethological-evolutionary framework and updating it with findings from neurobiology and attachment research, it is proposed there is an attachment behavioral system that operates throughout the lives of adults and that this changes the way we understand our clients’ distress and carry out psychotherapy.

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  1. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 877 Teakwood Road, Los Angeles, CA, 90049-1334, USA

    Pat Sable

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Sable, P. What is Adult Attachment?. Clin Soc Work J 36, 21–30 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-007-0110-8

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Keywords

  • Adult attachment
  • Ethology
  • Evolution
  • Psychotherapy