Journals Information
Universal Journal of Psychology(CEASE PUBLICATION) Vol. 1(1), pp. 10 - 19
DOI: 10.13189/ujp.2013.010102
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A Comparison of Self-Report Adult Attachment Measures: How Do They Converge and Diverge?
Lin Shi1,*, Richard Wampler2, Karen Wampler2
1 Marriage and Family Therapy Program, School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
2 Couple and Family Therapy Program, Department and Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
ABSTRACT
Using a sample of 448 undergraduate students the study compared two self-report adult attachment measures: the original three-category Attachment Style Prototype (ASP) and the two-dimension four-category Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR). The distribution of attachment style categories assessed by the two measures differed significantly, and the shifts among the categories were not related solely to the introduction of the fourth category in ECR. However, the two measures were related in meaningful ways, despite differences in conceptualization. The dimensional ECR was a better predictor of the criterion variables, conflict resolution behaviors (measured by Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II), than the ASP. The dimensional ECR is a more sensitive and powerful instrument in the relationship context examined. However, categorical measures provide a broad description of the archetype of the attachment style category.
KEYWORDS
Adult Attachment, Self-Report Measures, Comparison, Romantic Relationship, Conflict Resolution Behavior
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Lin Shi , Richard Wampler , Karen Wampler , "A Comparison of Self-Report Adult Attachment Measures: How Do They Converge and Diverge?," Universal Journal of Psychology(CEASE PUBLICATION), Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 10 - 19, 2013. DOI: 10.13189/ujp.2013.010102.
(b). APA Format:
Lin Shi , Richard Wampler , Karen Wampler (2013). A Comparison of Self-Report Adult Attachment Measures: How Do They Converge and Diverge?. Universal Journal of Psychology(CEASE PUBLICATION), 1(1), 10 - 19. DOI: 10.13189/ujp.2013.010102.