Attachment and Immigrants: Emotional security among Dutch and Belgian Immigrants in California, U.S.A. (AUP Dissertation Series)

Yolanda van Ecke's work on attachment and immigrants helps us to understand the common psychological characteristics that are shared by those who live life abroad. In Attachment and Immigrants she frames the experience of immigration in the context of the increasingly popular theory of attachment. In a series of well constructed academic, yet highly readable studies done with Dutch and Belgian immigrants in California, U.S.A. that follow, she outlines for the reader the specific psychological attachment issues that affect immigrants. Immigrants have unresolved attachment more often than nonimmigrants, and are more sensitive to experiences of isolation and separation, whereas nonimmigrants are more vulnerable in the face of illness. She also discusses career and personality aspects as they relate to immigrants with insecure attachment and provides suggestions for career counseling. This book should help professionals such as psychologists, therapist, social workers and educators to gain a deeper understanding of the psychology of immigrants.