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Validity of Attachment Theory

In recent years, attachment theory has been used more frequently for understanding abuse and violence. Yet, conceptualizations of these problems presuppose that attachment theory is valid. By reviewing the empirical literature on attachment theory to determine whether its key hypotheses are supported, this article addresses this important assumption. Hypotheses of attachment theory that are addressed are that attachment (a) has a biological or physiological base, (b) is universal, (c) is intergenerationally transmitted, (d) is transmitted from caregiver to infant, and (e) is predictive and dynamic but largely stable across time. Although all the hypotheses have some empirical support, and meta-analyses of certain of these hypotheses are encouraging, there are contradictory findings. At this time, support for attachment theory remains equivocal, and the limits of the theory are not clearly defined. Although these limitations do not preclude its use in trauma literature, professionals must remain aware of these limitations.