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

Abstract

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.