The assessment of dimensions relevant to adult reciprocal attachment

The development and potential clinical uses of the Adult Attachment Dimensions Questionnaire is described. The seven scales of the Adult Attachment Dimensions Questionnaire relate to the aspects of a relationship formed to promote and maintain security. The underlying theory is founded on John Bowlby's work on the attachment behavioural system. The empirical validation was accomplished through three studies involving a clinical group and a non clinical group in a hospital setting and respondents to a community survey. Psychometric validation included measures of internal reliability, test-retest reliability, and construct validity through factor analysis. The resultant 35 item questionnaire should be useful to both clinicians and researchers interested in the characterization of the attachment system for adults.