Attachment Disorganization

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

Since 1986, when disorganized attachment was first defined by Mary Main and Judith Solomon, a great deal of interest has been shown in this addition to the standard Ainsworth classification system. This groundbreaking book brings together eminent researchers and clinicians to present current, original theory and data on the nature of disorganized attachment, its etiology, and its sequelae. Contributors report on the social, psychological, and biological contributions to disorganization. Longitudinal findings are presented on developmental outcomes in middle childhood; special populations are examined, including children with disabilities; and new assessment methodologies are described. Advancing our understanding of a significant subgroup of infants and children with attachment-related difficulties, the volume represents an important contribution to the empirical attachment literature.

Since 1986, when disorganized attachment was first defined by Mary Main and Judith Solomon, a great deal of interest has been shown in this addition to the standard Ainsworth classification system. This groundbreaking volume brings together eminent researchers and clinicians to present current, original theory and data on the nature of disorganized attachment, its etiology, and its sequelae. Contributors report on the social, psychological, and biological contributions to disorganization. Longitudinal findings are presented on developmental outcomes in middle childhood; special populations are examined, including children with disabilities; and new assessment methodologies are described. Advancing our understanding of a significant subgroup of infants and children with attachment-related difficulties, the volume represents an important contribution to the empirical attachment literature.

Booknews

Brings together original theory and research concerning infants and children with attachment-related difficulties. The 14 chapters are organized into four sections: the etiology of attachment disorganization, social and cognitive sequelae, attachment disorganization in atypical populations, and adult and clinical applications. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Judith Solomon, PhD, is a research associate at the Judith Wallerstein Center for the Family in Transition, Corte Madera, California. Attachment disorganization has been as the heart of her research for the past 15 years. She has also contributed to the development of several new representational attachment measures. In addition to her research activities, Dr. Solomon writes, lectures, and maintains a clinical practice with a focus on counseling divorcing families.

Carol George, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Mills College, Oakland, California. Her recent work in child attachment has focused predominantly on middle childhood and parental caregiving. Dr. George has worked in collaboration with Dr. Solomon in the development of classification systems for child doll play and parental caregiving. She is also known for her work in adult attachment, including her coauthorship of the Adult Attachment Interview.