Pilot study of the psychometric properties of the adolescent attachment survey (AAS)

The purpose of the present pilot study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Adolescent Attachment Survey (AAS) and the Adolescent Attachment Survey - Parent Version (AAS-P). Attachment was defined as the desire for persons to seek and maintain proximity with their primary caregivers, both individually and together. Four measures were used in order to assess childhood attachment and current level and type of psychopathology. These measures included the AAS and AAS-P, the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Youth Self-Report Instrument, and the Child Behavior Checklist. Data was collected from a total of 53 male and female adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years, and each of their parents wherever possible. Adequate internal consistency, using Cronbach's Alpha was found for all of the variables used in the AAS. Criterion-related validity coefficients for the attachment scale in the AAS were also consistent and significant. The psychometric properties established for the AAS indicate that it is a valid and reliable instrument and can thus be used in the assessment of adolescent attachment patterns.