The Factor Structure of the CA-MIR as Evaluated Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The CArtes- Modèles Individuels de Relations (CA-MIR) is a self-report questionnaire assessing adult relational strategies.
• Its theoretical model is rich and complex, but previous exploratory analyses only partially reproduced it.
• The CA-MIR's factor structure has not been previously tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the factor structure of the CA-MIR using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
• To confirm the questionnaire's ability to tap into the relational strategies of adults.
• To provide a psychometrically sound instrument for adult attachment assessment.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on data from 979 subjects.
• Both the independent clusters model (ICM-CFA) and a model with relaxed zero loading restrictions were estimated.
• Data were collected via snowball sampling in spring and fall 2005.

Main Results:

• The results supported the originally proposed structure of the CA-MIR.
• Most items were good indicators of latent dimensions, with few secondary or unexpected loadings.
• The instrument effectively differentiates three attachment styles, considering past and present relationship experiences.
• Internal consistency (alpha values) was satisfactory and comparable to the original validation study.

Conclusions:

• The findings are crucial for both research and clinical applications in adult attachment.
• The study validates the CA-MIR as a reliable and comprehensive tool for evaluating adult attachment.
• This provides a much-needed valid and easy-to-administer instrument for assessing adult attachment styles.