Exploring Racial Invariance of an Adapted Measure of Adolescent Attachment to Mothers and Fathers

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Poster Session

Abstract

This study reports on an investigation of the racial comparability of adolescent attachment to mothers and fathers as assessed by an adapted experiences in close relationships scale (ECRS) that includes six new items assessing parental autonomy support. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis showed that the constructs were not invariant for either father or mother attachment. After modifications the Asian American, Hispanic and Black adolescent groups reached invariance for fathers. None of the racial groups reached invariance for attachment to mothers. The majority of autonomy support items were valid across racial groups for both mother and father. This exploratory study suggests parent-adolescent attachment may include autonomy support and may be construed separately for mothers and fathers and between adolescent American racial groups.

Authors

• Rebecca Garte, Borough of Manhattan Community College

• Jingru Zhang, Teachers College, Columbia University