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The Self-Report Assessment of Adolescent Attachment: A Systematic Review and Critique

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2012

Jessica M. Wilson  and
Ross B. Wilkinson
Jessica M. Wilson
Affiliation:
The Australian National University, Australia
Ross B. Wilkinson*
Affiliation:
The Australian National University, Australia
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Ross B. Wilkinson, Research School of Psychology, Building 39, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia. Email: Ross.Wilkinson@anu.edu.au
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Abstract

The assessment of attachment beyond infancy remains a controversial issue. Over the past 20 years adolescent attachment has been assessed in a variety of ways but no ‘gold standard’ for its measurement has emerged. Considering the complexity of attachment theory and the implications for measuring such relationships during adolescence, this article undertakes a review of self-report attachment measures utilised for this age group. Results of a comprehensive PsycInfo literature search are examined with regard to studies reporting the measurement of adolescent attachment. A total of 822 citations were retrieved for the years 1990 to 2012; 394 of these abstracts were further scrutinised for use in the current review. Descriptive data from citations are reported for the measure of attachment used, sample size, age range, and psychometric properties. Following this, the most commonly used self-report measures of attachment for adolescents are reviewed in detail. Theoretical and methodological concerns regarding the measurement of adolescent attachment are discussed and recommendations made regarding key issues to consider for the development of new instruments grounded in contemporary theory and evidence.

Keywords

adolescenceattachmentassessmentself-reportrelationship quality
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 3 , December 2012 , pp. 81 - 94
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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