The attachment behaviour, which begins to be established during infancy, may continue its influence all lifelong. In this period, the attachment developed between primary caregiver (usually the mother) and the baby, is inclined toward peers during puberty period. When she/he reaches adulthood, the partner with whom an emotional relationship is established takes the first place.
These attachment patterns which continue without any basic change have an influence on several areas such as the personal and social life, professional relationships, stress control, physiological and psychological health, and cognitive development of an individual. Those who developed a safe attachment during their infancy can establish healthier relationships during their puberty period and adulthood and they are able to cope with the problems in their life better and experience less problem. On the contrary, the individuals who developed insecure attachment, experience problems with their relationships during their puberty period and adulthood, have problematic relationships and have difficulty in coping with the problems in their lives. Moreover, it is considered that insecure attachment has a role in the development of many psychopathologies during puberty and adulthood. In this respect, attachment patterns provide a general framework for the psychiatric applications in both childhood and adulthood.
In this review, a general viewpoint is presented for the neurobiology of attachment, attachment behaviours during puberty and adulthood and the tests used to evaluate attachment within the scope of Bowlbys attachment theory.
Key words: Attachment, adolescent attachment, adult attachment
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