ABSTRACT
People’s basic sense of self is formed originally in a relationship constellation that predisposes their attitudes toward themselves, others, and the world at large. Studies have demonstrated that people often replicate early patterns of attachment with care givers in their adult romantic relationships (Ainsworth&Eichberg, 1991;Bartholomew, 1993;Bretherton,Ridgeway,&Cassidy1990; Feeney,Noller,&Hanrahan, 1994;George & Solomon, 1996, 1999; Main, Kaplan, & Cassidy, 1985; Shaver & Hazan, 1993). Research has also shown that early attachments with parents or other significant figures create feelings of wholeness and security or states of anxiety and insecurity that can persist for a lifetime (Ainsworth, 1989; Bartholomew, 1993; Bowlby, 1988; DeWolff & van IJzendoorn, 1997; Fonagy, 1998; Main, et al., 1985; Scharfe & Bartholomew, 1994; Shaver & Hazan, 1993).
