One Component of an Evidence-Based Approach to the Use of Attachment Research in Child Custody Evaluations

Abstract

Attachment theory and research is directly relevant to the practice of child custody evaluations (CCE). They are either explicitly mentioned or entirely consistent with the factor “quality of parent–child relationship” in all professional guidelines. However, the body of direct research on this population is quite small. A transportability analysis allows one to extend existing validity evidence to new populations. We review an extensive, non-exhaustive sampling of attachment research to demonstrate that the same behaviors needed to facilitate secure attachments have been validly measured, without significant alteration, across a broad number of the moderators thought to characterize the CCE population. We conclude that there is a strong likelihood that a full systematic review would support the conclusion that attachment research and procedures can be used in CCEs. The paper closes with some practical suggestions for child custody evaluators that emerge from the logic of a transportability analysis.