Evaluation of a short version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire (ECR-RD8): results from a representative German sample

Background Attachment insecurity is a prominent risk factor for the development and course of psychiatric and psychosomatic disorders. The Experiences in Close Relationships - Revised (ECR-R) questionnaire is a widely used self-report to assess attachment related anxiety and avoidance. However, its length has the potential to restrict its use in large, multi-instrument studies. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a brief version of the ECR-R, and provide norm values for the German population. Methods A screening version of the original ECR-R was developed through principal components analysis of datasets from several previous studies. In a representative sample of 2428 randomly selected individuals from the German population, we compared fit indices of different models by means of confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). We investigated the convergent validity of the screening version in an independent convenience sample of 557 participants. Correlations between the short and the full scale were investigated in a re-analysis of the original German ECR-R evaluation sample. Results CFA indicated a satisfactory model fit for an eight-item version (ECR-RD8). The ECR-RD8 demonstrated adequate reliability. The subscales correlated as expected with another self-report measure of attachment in an independent sample. Individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety, but especially higher levels of attachment avoidance were significantly more likely to not be in a relationship, across all age groups. Correlations between the short and the full scale were high. Conclusions The ECR-RD8 appears to be a reliable, valid, and economic questionnaire for assessing attachment insecurity. In addition, the reported population-based norm values will help to contextualize future research findings.

Entwicklung von Affiliation während der Psychotherapieausbildung

Zusammenfassung Fragestellung Die Studie untersuchte die Entwicklung von Affiliation bei psychotherapeutischen Ausbildungskandidat:innen in Bezug auf ihr therapeutisches Handeln, ihre Selbstwahrnehmung und ihre Wahrnehmung von Klient:innen. Zudem wurde der Einfluss von Bindungsrepräsentationen und Selbsterfahrung auf die Affiliation betrachtet. Material und Methode In einem naturalistischen Prä-Post-Design bewerteten Ausbildungskandidat:innen unterschiedlicher therapeutischer Orientierungen (n = 126) verschiedene Affiliationsdimensionen in schwierigen Therapiesituationen (Intrex Questionnaire Short Form) über den Abstand von 3 Jahren. Bindungsangst und Bindungsvermeidung wurden zu Beginn (Experiences in Close Relationships, ECR-RD), Länge und Zufriedenheit der Selbsterfahrung am Ende des Erhebungszeitraums erfasst. Die Zusammenhangsanalysen wurden in Mehrebenenmodellen realisiert. Ergebnisse Die Affiliation im eigenen therapeutischen Verhalten und in der Wahrnehmung des Klient:innenverhaltens zeigte Steigerungen kleiner Effektgröße, wobei Bindungsvermeidung eine geringere Affiliation im eigenen Verhalten voraussagte. Die selbstbezogene Affiliation nahm mit einer mittleren Effektgröße ab; hierbei war Bindungsangst mit einer niedrigeren Affiliation assoziiert. Die Selbsterfahrungsdauer wies einen negativen Zusammenhang mit der Wahrnehmung des Klient:innenverhaltens auf; dieser Effekt kehrte sich bei hoher Bindungsvermeidung um. Die Zufriedenheit mit Selbsterfahrung hatte keinen Einfluss auf die Affiliationsentwicklung. Schlussfolgerung Die interpersonelle und intrapsychische Affiliation von angehenden Psychotherapeut:innen ist z. T. durch Bindungsrepräsentationen geprägt, unterliegt aber Entwicklungsprozessen. Die Abnahme selbstbezogener Affiliation zeigt die Notwendigkeit für kompensatorische und ressourcenstärkende Maßnahmen in der Psychotherapieausbildung.

Testing the reliability and validity of the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale–Short Form with Chinese college students

Currently, there is no instrument to quickly measure adult attachment in the Chinese cultural context. In this study the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale–Short Form (ECR-S) was translated and tested in terms of reliability and validity with Chinese college students. All items of the Chinese-version ECR-S showed high discriminability and the scale had a two-dimensional structure in both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The internal consistency coefficients of the two subscales of the ECR-S showed excellent reliability, and scores were modestly to highly correlated with the criteria of state adult attachment, self-esteem, anxiety, pressure, depression, and satisfaction with intimate (romantic) relationships. It can be concluded that the Chinese version of the ECR-S has high reliability and validity; thus, it meets the requirements for psychometric tools and can be used to assess Chinese adults' attachment.

Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the Experiences in Close Relationships–Relationship Structures Questionnaire (ECR-RS)

The aim of this study was to adapt the Turkish version of the Experiences in Close Relationships–Relationship Structures Questionnaire in a sample of Turkey. Study I was conducted to prove the reliability and validity of the results obtained as a result of the adaptation of the Experiences in Close Relationships–Relationship Structures (ECR-RS) Questionnaire to Turkish culture. The study showed that the Experiences in Close Relationships–Relationship Structures Questionnaire and its subscales were reliable and valid. The study showed that the ECR-RS subscales correlated with the Relationship Questionnaire, the Relationship Styles Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Subscale, the Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale, the Contact with parents and the Relationship experience, denoting content validity of the Experiences in Close Relationships–Relationship Structures Questionnaire. According to the research results, the Experiences in Close Relationships–Relationship Structures Questionnaire are a reliable and valid measurement tool that can be used for the purpose of evaluating attachment representation in Turkish culture. In addition, this study provides attachment researchers with a basis for reviewing the assumption that dimensional models overlap with categorical models. It is suggested that The Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Questionnaire be adapted to different relationship structures (e.g., therapist, god, ideological groups), retested on different age groups and its relationship with personality traits and psychological problems be investigated.

TRANSGENERATIONAL EFFECT OF ATTACHMENT - What was I given as a child, what do I share with my partner and what do I give to my newborn?

Attachment theory describes functioning through internalworking models that guide expectations and behaviours in the relationships. Our aim was toanalyzetransgenerational effect of attachment. We also wanted to map the attachment with respect tobonding and remembered attachment. Our sample consisted of 100 participants (26menand 74women)between 21 and 46 yearsfrom non-clinical populationthat were shortly postpartum. They filled 3 self-administered questionnaires: Egna Minnen Betraffande Uppfostran-short form(My memories of upbringing, sEMBU), The Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), and The Mother-Infant Bonding Questionnaire (MIBQ). Emotional warmth shown by mother had prediction power to attachment in close relationship (avoidance in 9% and anxiety in 5%) which inturns correlated with the wish for physical contact with own infant (desire to touch or hold the infant). Furthermore, emotional warmth together with rejection by mother were predictors of acceptance of own parent ́s role in bonding in 8% and 5% respectively. We see several limits among which self-reported instruments, new questionnaire MIBQ, age range and smaller sample of men. Nevertheless, we consider our research to be important in slightly clarifying an importance of remembered emotional warmth of mother in functioning in actual relationships (attachmentavoidance and anxiety) and in bonding (acceptance of own parent ́s role).