Assessing Patterns of Insecurity in the Attachment Script Assessment: Evidence for Convergent and Predictive Validity

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

The Attachment Script Assessment (ASA; Waters & Rodrigues-Doolabh, 2004) was developed as a time- and cost-effective alternative to the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI; Main et al., 1985) that more directly assesses the content of attachment representations. Drawing on evidence that repeated experiences are represented as scripts (Schank, 1999), the ASA assesses secure base script knowledge (i.e., understanding secure base/safe haven functions of attachments) informed by individuals’ history of secure base support (Waters & Waters, 2006). Evidence supports the convergent validity of the ASA and AAI, predictive validity of the ASA regarding links with parenting and child attachment, and retrodictive validity of the ASA regarding antecedents in caregiving experiences (Bost et al., 2006; Steele et al., 2014). However, the ASA lacks scales assessing patterns of insecurity. In this symposium, three new scales to assess patterns of insecurity in the ASA are presented: (1) deactivation—the extent to which attachment-relevant needs and support are minimized, avoided, or derogated; (2) hyperactivation—the extent to which attachment-relevant negative emotion is heightened; and (3) anomalous themes—the extent to which bizarre themes emerge. In a series of three papers, we demonstrate the convergent validity of ASA insecurity scales with AAI patterns of insecurity. Next, we present evidence for the long-term stability of ASA scales and the differential predictive significance of ASA insecurity scales for distinctive caregiving behaviors. Finally, we present evidence for the predictive validity of the ASA scales for romantic relationship functioning. Findings support the convergent and predictive validity of the ASA insecurity scales.

Sub Unit

• Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Chairs

• Ashley M. Groh, University of Missouri - Columbia

• Katherine C Haydon, Mount Holyoke College

Individual Presentations

• The Convergent Validity of ASA Insecurity Scales with AAI Patterns of Insecurity - Presenting Author: Paul Caldo, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities; Non-Presenting Author: Ashley M. Groh, University of Missouri - Columbia; Non-Presenting Author: Katherine C Haydon, Mount Holyoke College

• ASA Insecurity Scales: Stability Over Time and Predictive Significance for Mothers’ Caregiving Behaviors - Presenting Author: Ashley M. Groh, University of Missouri - Columbia; Non-Presenting Author: Katherine C Haydon, Mount Holyoke College

• The Predictive Significance of ASA Insecurity Scales for Romantic Relationships - Presenting Author: Katherine C Haydon, Mount Holyoke College; Non-Presenting Author: Ashley M. Groh, University of Missouri - Columbia