A Matter of Security

As a psychodynamic theory of both normal development and psychopathology, attachment theory has particular utility for forensic psychiatry. A Matter of Security provides an account of the development of arousal and affect regulation, which offers a new way of thinking about mental disorders in offenders. This book also discusses the development of personality in terms of interpersonal functioning and relationships with others, which is essential to understanding both interpersonal violence and abnormal personality development. Attachment theory also offers a model of therapeutic work with patients that has particular resonance with forensic work because it uses the language of security. The editors have gathered original and previously published works on attachment theory applied to forensic psychiatry and psychotherapy. Practitioners unfamiliar with attachment theory will appreciate the accessibility of this introductory text. At the same time forensic staff familiar with attachment theory will find the information contained in this book beneficial to their ongoing research and work.