The Neurobiology of Attachment and Mentalizing

Abstract

This chapter addresses the neurobiology of attachment and mentalizing from a developmental psychopathology perspective. It defines attachment, considers its key role in the modulation of the stress response, and describes the general neurobiological process by which this occurs. The chapter then considers the neurobiology of attachment and proceeds to discuss the neurobiological underpinning of mentalizing in relation to attachment and stress regulation. It also focuses on the early development of both capacities in relation to stress regulation and discusses the relationship to the development of psychopathology and personality disorder in particular across the lifespan, with a focus on early childhood and adolescence.