Description

The Attachment Styles Scale is a psychometric tool designed to assess attachment styles in adults. Attachment styles refer to the various forms of emotional attachment that individuals develop from childhood and maintain throughout their lives. This scale typically includes a series of statements that evaluate three main attachment styles: secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-anxious/ambivalent. It helps in understanding patterns of emotional connection and interpersonal relationships.

Purpose

The main goal of the Attachment Styles Scale is to provide a valid and reliable instrument for assessing adult attachment styles. This tool supports psychologists, therapists, and other mental health professionals in better understanding individuals’ emotional and behavioral responses within their interpersonal relationships. It also contributes to the development of appropriate therapeutic interventions and strategies aimed at improving psychological health.

Analysis

The analysis of data collected through the scale involves the use of statistical methods to assess the tool’s reliability and validity. Techniques such as factor analysis are used to confirm the structure of the scale, while reliability analysis (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha) is employed to ensure the internal consistency of the items. Additionally, scores are compared with other psychological measures and functioning indicators to evaluate the scale’s validity.

Calibration

The scale is calibrated using a Likert-type scale, where participants are asked to rate the statements from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). Total scores are calculated by summing the scores of the individual items corresponding to each attachment style. Higher scores in specific categories indicate the presence of the corresponding attachment style.

References

Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(3), 511–524.
Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226–244.
Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46–76). The Guilford Press.
Fraley, R. C., Waller, N. G., & Brennan, K. A. (2000). An item response theory analysis of self-report measures of adult attachment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(2), 350–365.
Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. The Guilford Press.