This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Scharfe, E. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Reliability and Validity of an Interview Assessment of Attachment Representations in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents

Trent University

Although several researchers have discussed difficulties when assessing attachment representations in clinical samples, fewhave formally assessed reliability and validity of attachment in clinical samples. In this study, reliability and validity of attachment in a clinical sample of adolescents was assessed. Adolescents (50 females and 77 males; average age 13. 6 years) completed questionnaires to assess interpersonal anxiety and avoidance and were administered the Family Attachment Interview and the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children–III. Interviewcodings of attachment representations were reliable; however, findings highlighted possible limitations of categorical assignments. Consistent with previous research, attachment representations were not associated with cognitive abilities and were associated with latent variables of avoidance and anxiety. Discussion of results focuses on the benefit of using continuous ratings of attachment; the usefulness of attachment theory when counseling distressed youth; and the theoretical importance of understanding attachment representations during adolescence.

Journal of Adolescent Research, Vol. 17, No. 5, 532-551 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/0743558402175006


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?