The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System: a pilot study of inter-rater reliability and face validity with adults with intellectual disabilities. Issue 2 (5th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gallichan, Deanna; George, Carol
• Is Part Of: Advances in mental health and intellectual disabilities. Volume 12:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 57
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2018-03-05
• Subjects: Attachment -- Assessment -- Intellectual disabilities -- Relationships -- AAP -- Internal working models; Learning disabled -- Mental health services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.30941
• DOI: 10.1108/AMHID-11-2017-0036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-1282

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess whether the Adult Attachment Projective (AAP) Picture System is a reliable and face valid measure of internal working models of attachment in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Design/methodology/approach: The AAPs of 20 adults with ID were coded blind by two reliable judges and classified into one of four groups: secure, dismissing, preoccupied, or unresolved. Inter-rater reliability was calculated using κ . Six participants repeated the assessment for test-retest reliability. Two independent experts rated ten cases on the links between the AAP analysis and the clinical history. Findings: There was significant agreement between AAP judges, κ =0.677, p <0.001. Five out of six participants showed stability in their classifications over time. The majority of expert ratings were "good" or "excellent". There was a significant inter-class correlation between raters suggesting good agreement between them r =0.51 ( p <0.05). The raters' feedback suggested that the AAP had good clinical utility. Research limitations/implications: The inter-rater reliability, stability, face validity, and clinical utility of the AAP in this population is promising. Further examination of these findings with a larger sample of individuals with ID is needed. Originality/value: This is the first study attempting to investigate the reliability and validity of the AAP in this population.