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Observing attachment behavior in couples: the Adult Attachment Behavior Q-Set (AABQ)
Karen S Wampler1, Bruce Riggs, Thomas G Kimball
1MFT Program, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1162, USA. Karen.Wampler@ttu.edu
Family Process
|September 25, 2004
Summary
Clinicians can now observe couple attachment behaviors using the new Adult Attachment Behavior Q-Set (AABQ). This tool shows promise for guiding therapy and assessing outcomes in couple counseling.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Attachment Theory
Background:
- Understanding observable attachment behaviors in couples is crucial for therapists utilizing attachment theory.
- Existing methods for assessing adult attachment may not fully capture dyadic interaction patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development of the Adult Attachment Behavior Q-Set (AABQ).
- To assess the reliability and validity of the AABQ in a clinical couple sample.
Main Methods:
- Development of a 100-item Q-sort (AABQ) aligned with the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) coding system.
- Coding of videotaped couple discussions from 28 couples, many seeking therapy.
- Assessment of inter-rater reliability and comparison with AAI classifications.
Main Results:
- Adequate reliability was found for the AABQ coding.
- Promising validity evidence: 84% agreement with AAI for secure/insecure and 70% for secure/dismissing/preoccupied categories.
- The AABQ demonstrates potential for clinical application.
Conclusions:
- The Adult Attachment Behavior Q-Set (AABQ) is a promising tool for assessing observable attachment behaviors in couples.
- Further reliability and validity studies are needed, but the AABQ may offer valuable insights for couple therapy interventions and outcome evaluation.