Everything You Need To Know To Repair Your Attachment

Attachment Styles

Determining Attachment Style

 

Attachment Style Assessment

The assessment of an individual’s attachment style is an important step in helping individuals understand and improve their attachment patterns, leading to more fulfilling and healthy relationships.

Self-report questionnaires

Self-report questionnaires are widely used to assess adult attachment styles by asking individuals to describe their experiences, thoughts, and feelings about attachment and close relationships. The following are two commonly used self-report questionnaires:

  1. The Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) – This is a widely-used questionnaire developed by Hazan and Shaver (1987) that measures attachment anxiety and avoidance in romantic relationships.
  2. The Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) – This is a commonly used questionnaire developed by Brennan, Clark, and Shaver (1998) that assesses attachment anxiety and avoidance in romantic relationships.
  3. The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) – This questionnaire was developed by Bartholomew and Horowitz (1991) and measures four attachment styles: secure, preoccupied, fearful, and dismissing.
  4. The Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) – This questionnaire was developed by Feeney, Noller, and Hanrahan (1994) and measures attachment style in close relationships.
  5. The Multidimensional Attachment Scale (MVAS) – This is a comprehensive questionnaire developed by Brennan, Clark, and Shaver (1998) that measures attachment anxiety, avoidance, and other related constructs such as need for approval and trust.

These questionnaires can provide valuable insights into an individual’s attachment style, but it’s important to keep in mind that they are based on self-report and may be subject to biases and limitations, such as social desirability bias. Therefore, self-report questionnaires should be used in combination with other measures, such as behavioral observations and physiological measures, to provide a more comprehensive assessment of attachment style.

Professional Assessment

In a professional attachment style assessment, the mental health professional will ask the individual questions about their experiences and beliefs in close relationships, observe their behavior in close relationships, and use self-report measures to gather additional information. The professional will then use this information to determine the individual’s predominant attachment style, which can be either secure, avoidant, ambivalent, or disorganized.

Professional assessment of attachment styles can be particularly useful for individuals who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships or who are seeking to gain a deeper understanding of their attachment patterns. It can also be useful for individuals who may be experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, which may be related to their attachment style.

It is important to seek the help of a qualified mental health professional when conducting a professional assessment of attachment style, as they have the training and expertise to accurately evaluate and diagnose attachment styles and related mental health conditions.

Observational Measures

Observational measures are used to assess adult attachment styles by observing an individual’s behavior in real-life situations, such as during a therapy session or in their interactions with others. These measures can provide a more accurate picture of an individual’s attachment style by observing their behavior in a natural and unstructured setting.

There are several different types of observational measures that can be used to assess adult attachment styles, including:

  1. Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (PCICS): The PCICS is a coding system that involves observing the interaction between a parent and child in order to assess the child’s attachment style. The observer looks for specific behaviors and cues, such as the child’s responsiveness to the parent, the parent’s sensitivity to the child’s needs, and the overall quality of the interaction.
  2. Strange Situation Procedure (SSP): The SSP is an observation-based assessment that involves exposing a child to a series of stressful and unfamiliar situations, such as being left alone with a stranger or being reunited with their caregiver after a period of separation. The child’s behavior in these situations is observed and coded to determine their attachment style.
  3. Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP): The AAP is a projective assessment tool that involves presenting individuals with a series of pictures that depict different attachment-related scenarios. Participants are asked to write a story about each picture, and the stories are then analyzed to assess the individual’s attachment style.

Observational measures are valuable tools for mental health professionals because they provide a more accurate picture of an individual’s attachment style by observing their behavior in real-life situations. They can also help identify patterns of behavior and thought that may be difficult for individuals to verbalize. However, observational measures can be time-consuming and may not always be feasible or appropriate in certain situations. Additionally, they may be influenced by factors such as the individual’s mood, stress level, and their relationship with the observer.

Projective Tests

Projective tests are a type of psychological assessment that are used to assess adult attachment styles by presenting individuals with ambiguous stimuli and asking them to respond in their own way. These tests can provide insight into an individual’s unconscious thoughts and feelings about close relationships.

There are several different types of projective tests that can be used to assess adult attachment styles, including:

  1. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): The TAT involves presenting individuals with a series of pictures or story stems that depict various situations and relationships. Participants are asked to imagine themselves in the scenario and write a story about what is happening. The stories can be analyzed to identify the individual’s attachment style.
  2. Sentence Completion Test: This type of test involves presenting individuals with a series of incomplete sentences related to relationships and asking them to complete each sentence in their own way. The responses can be analyzed to identify the individual’s attachment style.
  3. Draw-A-Person Test (DAP): The DAP involves asking individuals to draw a picture of a person. The picture can be analyzed to identify the individual’s views on relationships and attachment.

Projective tests are valuable tools for mental health professionals because they can provide insight into an individual’s unconscious thoughts and feelings about close relationships. They can also help identify patterns of behavior and thought that may be difficult for individuals to verbalize. However, projective tests can be subjective and may not always be reliable or valid indicators of an individual’s attachment style. Additionally, they may be influenced by factors such as the individual’s mood, stress level, and their relationship with the evaluator.

Physiological measures

Physiological measures are used in combination with self-report measures and behavioral observations to assess adult attachment styles. These measures may include:

  1. Heart rate variability (HRV): HRV reflects the ability of the autonomic nervous system to regulate physiological responses to stress and is related to attachment security.
  2. Cortisol levels: Cortisol is a stress hormone and its levels can indicate the presence of insecure attachment.
  3. Skin conductance: Changes in skin conductance can reflect emotional responses and be related to attachment styles.
  4. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): fMRI can be used to observe brain activity and may provide insights into attachment-related processing.

It’s important to note that physiological measures are not solely used to assess adult attachment styles and other measures such as self-report questionnaires and behavioral observations are also commonly used.

Interview-based assessment

Interview-based assessment is a method used to evaluate an individual’s attachment style by having structured and in-depth conversations. This type of assessment typically involves asking questions about the individual’s experiences and thoughts regarding attachment and close relationships.

The interviewer may ask questions about the individual’s childhood experiences with attachment figures, their current relationships, and their thoughts and feelings about attachment. Based on the answers provided, the interviewer can make inferences about the individual’s attachment style, which can range from secure to avoidant to ambivalent.

Secure individuals typically have positive views of themselves and others and feel comfortable with closeness and intimacy. Avoidant individuals may have negative views of attachment and feel uncomfortable with closeness and intimacy. Ambivalent individuals may have a mix of positive and negative views of attachment and may experience conflict in close relationships.

Interview-based assessment can provide valuable insights into an individual’s attachment style, but it is important to keep in mind that the results can be subjective and may be influenced by factors such as social desirability bias or memory limitations. As with any method of assessment, it is recommended to use multiple measures to provide a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s attachment

One of the most commonly used interview-based assessments is the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) explained in detail below.

Adult Attachment Interview (AAI)

The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) is a standardized interview-based assessment tool used to evaluate an individual’s attachment style. It was designed to explore an individual’s memories, thoughts, and feelings about their childhood experiences and relationships with their primary caregivers. The AAI is considered one of the most reliable and valid measures of adult attachment style.

The AAI consists of 20 to 30 open-ended questions that are designed to elicit information about an individual’s attachment experiences and beliefs. The questions focus on topics such as the individual’s relationships with their parents or primary caregivers, their experiences of separation or loss, and their beliefs about close relationships.

The AAI is scored by trained coders who use a set of predetermined criteria to categorize an individual’s responses into one of three attachment styles: secure, dismissive-avoidant, or preoccupied. A secure attachment style is characterized by positive views of childhood experiences, positive views of self and others, and a belief that close relationships are supportive and emotionally satisfying. A dismissive-avoidant attachment style is characterized by negative views of childhood experiences, negative views of self and others, and a belief that close relationships are not emotionally satisfying or dependable. A preoccupied attachment style is characterized by positive views of childhood experiences, negative views of self, and positive views of others, and a belief that close relationships are important for emotional security but are also emotionally turbulent.

The AAI is a valuable tool for mental health professionals because it provides a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s attachment style and can help identify underlying mental health conditions. The AAI can be used as part of a larger assessment process to gain a more complete understanding of an individual’s attachment patterns and to inform treatment plans.

Therapeutic Approaches

There are several therapeutic approaches used to assess attachment style, including:

  1. Psychodynamic Therapy: This approach focuses on exploring the unconscious thoughts and feelings that may be impacting an individual’s attachment style. The therapist will encourage the individual to examine their early experiences and relationships, and help them understand how these experiences may have shaped their current attachment patterns.
  2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This approach focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to an individual’s attachment style. The therapist will help the individual identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs about close relationships, and teach them coping strategies to improve their relationships.
  3. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): This approach focuses on helping individuals strengthen their emotional bonds with their partners. The therapist will help the individual identify patterns in their relationships and work with them to build stronger, more secure attachment bonds.
  4. Attachment-Based Therapy: This approach is specifically designed to help individuals understand and improve their attachment style. The therapist will use a combination of self-reflection, conversation, and exercises to help the individual develop a deeper understanding of their attachment patterns and work with them to build more secure attachment bonds.

These therapeutic approaches can be used in conjunction with a professional assessment of attachment style to provide a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s attachment patterns and to help them make positive changes in their relationships. It is important to seek the help of a qualified mental health professional who is trained in these approaches to ensure that the therapy is effective and safe.