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Using mothers versus trained observers in assessing children's secure base behavior: theoretical and methodological
1Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County 21228, USA.
Child Development
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Mothers and trained observers show correlated Attachment Q-Set (AQS) sorts for assessing children's secure base behavior. Observer accuracy increases with their confidence in observed behaviors, impacting reliability.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Attachment Studies
- Behavioral Assessment
Background:
- The Attachment Q-Set (AQS) is a validated tool for assessing secure base behavior in young children.
- Discrepancies exist regarding the use of mothers versus trained observers as AQS sorters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between mothers' and trained observers' AQS sorts for preschoolers.
- To assess mother-observer concordance in relation to observer confidence in behavioral representativeness.
Main Methods:
- Mothers completed AQS sorts after training and supervision.
- Trained, blind observers conducted AQS assessments during home visits 1-2 weeks later.
- Observers rated their confidence in the representativeness of observed behaviors.
Main Results:
- Mothers' and observers' AQS sorts were significantly intercorrelated.
- Observer sorts showed higher convergence with mother sorts as observer confidence increased.
- Observer confidence in behavioral samples influenced mother-observer reliability.
Conclusions:
- Mother-observer reliability in AQS assessments is influenced by observer confidence.
- Factors affecting reliability should be considered when choosing between mothers and trained observers for AQS sorts.