Description

The Adult Attachment Scale (AAS-36) is a psychometric tool developed to assess adult attachment patterns in interpersonal relationships. This scale is based on John Bowlby’s attachment theory and extends the work of Mary Ainsworth, aiming to capture adults’ behaviors and emotional responses in their relationships with others.

Purpose

The purpose of the AAS is to measure the types of attachment that adults exhibit in romantic and other significant relationships. This assessment can help in understanding the emotional and behavioral patterns that affect relationship quality and psychological well-being. The information from the AAS can be used by psychologists, counselors, and researchers to develop interventions that promote healthy interpersonal attachment.

Analysis

The AAS includes a series of statements that evaluate three main dimensions of attachment:
Secure Attachment: Refers to individuals who feel comfortable with closeness and depending on others.
Anxious Attachment: Refers to individuals who worry about rejection and abandonment by others.
Avoidant Attachment: Refers to individuals who avoid closeness and dependence on others.
Participants are asked to respond to the statements using a Likert scale (e.g., from 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
The analysis of the results involves:
Score Calculation: Responses are summed for each attachment dimension to calculate total scores.
Score Interpretation: Scores are compared to normative data to determine the individual’s attachment profile. Higher scores in specific dimensions indicate stronger tendencies toward the corresponding attachment type.
Statistical Analysis: Further analysis can be conducted to explore relationships between attachment types and other factors, such as relationship quality, mental health, self-esteem, and stress management.

Calibration

The calibration of the AAS is conducted through studies on large and diverse adult samples to determine normative data and ensure the reliability and validity of the tool. Scores are standardized to allow for reliable comparison of results across different populations and subgroups.

References

Collins, N. L., & Read, S. J. (1990). Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(4), 644–663.
Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(3), 511–524.
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). Guilford Press.
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.
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.