Factor structure of the Child Attachment Interview
- 21 November 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in European Journal of Developmental Psychology
- Vol. 8 (6), 744-759
- https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2011.631293
Abstract
The aim of this study was to specify and test the factor structure of the Child Attachment Interview (CAI), by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The CFA provides a continuous measure of attachment, and also an examination of the construct validity of this continuous approach. Analyses included 150 children aged 9–13, recruited from schools in Norway. The one factor-model “Security–Dismissal”, as well as a model including the supplementary factor “Preoccupation–Idealization”, fitted the data well. Individuals' scores based on these factors converged with the categorical attachment classifications, but added more information about individual differences within categories. The findings support the construct validity of this continuous approach to the CAI.Keywords
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