Evaluating Inter-Method Reliability of Attachment Classifications and Limitations to Concordance in Middle-Childhood

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  • February 26, 2019
Creator
  • Adam-Houser, Mathew A.
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
Abstract
  • The current study examines the inter-method reliability of attachment classification paradigms in middle-childhood, and potential constraints disorganization and child-sex may have on the concordance of these measures. Two popular methods, the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST) and Projective Family Drawings, assess the internal working models of children in order to evaluate attachment. Previous research has shown the MCAST to have robust internal reliability and content validity. This study examines dependency across methodologies in order to determine the reliability and validity of the family drawings. This study used a rural, low-income, African-American sample of 176 children who had completed both the MCAST and a family drawing collected from the Family Life Project to investigate the concordance of the two measures. Chi-square analysis found significant concordance for measurements of security and avoidance. Furthermore, high disorganization in the family drawing limited concordance of avoidant classifications. These findings are discussed in the context of their utility in clinical and research settings.
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  • In Copyright
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  • Funding: Center of Developmental Science, Family Life Project
Advisor
  • Mills-Koonce, Roger
Degree
  • Bachelor of Science
Honors level
  • Honors
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Extent
  • 32

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