The DOI matches its Crossref record; 138 of the 138 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Adult Romantic Attachment: Theoretical Developments, Emerging Controversies, and Unanswered Questions
Abstract
The authors review the theory of romantic, or pair-bond, attachment as it was originally formulated by C. Hazan and P. R. Shaver in 1987 and describe how it has evolved over more than a decade. In addition, they discuss 5 issues related to the theory that need further clarification: (a) the nature of attachment relationships, (b) the evolution and function of attachment in adulthood, (c) models of individual differences in attachment, (d) continuity and change in attachment security, and (e) the integration of attachment, sex, and caregiving. In discussing these issues, they provide leads for future research and outline a more complete theory of romantic attachment.
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“Attachment theory emphasizes that internal working models shape trust, emotion regulation, and social behavioral strategies, thereby organizing social functioning and interpersonal tendencies (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2019; Fraley & Shaver, 2000).”
From Peer Attachment and Prosocial Behavior: The Mediating Role of Positive Legal Emotion and the Moderating Effect of Social Exclusion (2026) · cites this paper as Fraley & Shaver, 2000
Citations
Cites
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“When Hazan and Shaver (1987) began their work on romantic attachment, they adopted Ainsworth's three-category scheme as a framework for organizing individual differences in the way adults think, feel, and behave in romantic relationships.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citationAttachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model.
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 1,001–1,003 of 1,003
McNeil, A., & Purdon, C. (2025) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjc.12533 · Cited by 1
“Avoidant attachment is characterized by deactivation of the attachment system and avoidance of close relationships (Fraley & Shaver, 2000).”
Demirtaş, E. T., & Zurnacı, B. (2026) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-026-03422-4
“Anxious attachment, defined by heightened fears of rejection, preoccupation with a partner’s availability, and a persistent need fhor reassurance (Fraley & Shaver, 2000; Fraley et al., 2000), is a well-established psychological process associated with elevated risk for psychological IPV…”
Sun, W., & Xu, S. (2026) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs16040494
“Attachment theory emphasizes that internal working models shape trust, emotion regulation, and social behavioral strategies, thereby organizing social functioning and interpersonal tendencies (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2019; Fraley & Shaver, 2000).”
Metadata
- Authors
- Fraley, R. C., & Shaver, P. R.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Davis (US)
- Venue
- Review of General Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2000-06
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 132-154
- ISSN
- 1089-2680 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1552
- OpenAlex
- W2142842143
- Cited by
- 1,601
- References
- 138
- Citations by year
- 2026: 46 · 2025: 74 · 2024: 76 · 2023: 84 · 2022: 118 · 2021: 68 · 2020: 83 · 2019: 80 · 2018: 69 · 2017: 83 · 2016: 91 · 2015: 80 · 2014: 82 · 2013: 89 · 2012: 70
- FWCI
- 20.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Review of General Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Keywords
- romantic attachment, attachment theory, adult attachment, attachment security, caregiving
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