The development and psychometric characteristics of the adolescent attachment invertory /
The purpose of the present study was to develop and analyze a measure of adolescent attachment, the Adolescent Attachment Inventory (AAI). Scale and items for the AAI were theoretically and empirically derived to evaluate three constructs of attachment. The three constructs measured by the AAI inclu...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2004.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=790270901&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The purpose of the present study was to develop and analyze a measure of adolescent attachment, the Adolescent Attachment Inventory (AAI). Scale and items for the AAI were theoretically and empirically derived to evaluate three constructs of attachment. The three constructs measured by the AAI included: secure attachment, ambivalent attachment, and avoidant attachment. The AAI may also be useful in identifying disorganized attachment. For the present study, the author developed items and evaluated the psychometric properties of the AAI. Results included (a) scale alpha coefficients and item statistics, (b) exploratory factor analysis results, (c) internal consistency reliability coefficients, and (d) bivariate validity coefficients. One sample of adolescents aged 12 - 18 ([n] = 240) and a subsample of parents ([n] = 49) provided the data for the present study. Internal consistency reliability coefficients for the scores from the four AAI scales were high. Exploratory factor analyses of the scores from the 189- item AAI suggested a four-factor structure. Concurrent validity analyses involving another instrument and demographic variables further supported a conclusion that the AAI scale scores are valid measures of attachment. Based upon the results of the present study, the AAI has promise for assessing the multi-dimensional complexity of adolescent attachment. Future studies confirming the factor structure of the AAI and providing normative information would be beneficial. Additional recommendations for the use of this instrument are presented including use of the AAI with other behavior and personality measures to examine attachment issues. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Counseling Psychology". |
| Physical Description: | xiv, 327 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-121). |