Validität von Mutter- und Beobachterurteilen über kindliches Bindungsverhalten

Abstract

The observer version of the Attachment Q-Set (AQS) is considered to be a valid instrument for the assessment of infant attachment security while it is unclear which variables are measured by its mother version. Since there are only few studies so far who evaluate both versions concerning more than one aspect of validity, this was the aim of the present study. Furthermore it was searched for variables which moderate the correspondence of both versions. In a sample of 64 mother child dyads attachment security was assessed at the childrens' age of 18 months in the Strange Situation Test (SST) and at the age of 30 months via AQS in both the observer and the mother version. Maternal sensitivity which is hypothesised in attachment theory to be related to attachment security was estimated in order to test validity. The mothers' tendency to describe her child in a social desired way was investigated via questionnaire. To summarize validity can be stated for both versions of the AQS since both correlate significantly with maternal sensitivity. However only the observer version of AQS was associated with SST classifications and can therefore be considered to reach validity. Mother and observer version corresponded better in the case of girls respectively when the mothers' social desirability response bias was low.