Adult attachment: Investigating the factor structure of the Relationship Scales Questionnaire. Issue 12 (23rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zortea, Tiago C.; Gray, Cindy M.; O'Connor, Rory C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 75:Issue 12(2019)
• Page Start: 2169
• Page End: 2187
• Publication Date: 2019-07-23
• Subjects: adult attachment -- close relationships -- measurement -- personality -- relationships; Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22838
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: In this study, we aimed to conduct an in‐depth psychometric investigation of the Relationships Scales Questionnaire (RSQ). Method: About 717 UK‐based participants responded to an online questionnaire (F = 540, M = 177; age range 18–66 years, M = 25, SD = 8.46). We conducted (a) a series of confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) to test previously published factor models of the RSQ, (b) traditional (exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis) and contemporary (exploratory graph analysis) exploratory techniques, followed by (c) validity and reliability analyses. Results: Although the RSQ was developed to assess four categories of adult attachment (typological approach – i.e., secure, preoccupied, dismissing, and fearful), our findings do not support the hypothesis that the RSQ delivers a psychometrically consistent measure of adult attachment styles. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that a two‐dimensional approach (i.e., anxiety and avoidance) to assessing adult attachment is optimal.