Validation study of attachment questionnaire in adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: There are not enough specially developed tools to study attachment during adolescence in our country.

The objective of this research is to adapt and validate the AAQ (Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire) for the Chilean population. 

Patients and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 199 adolescents between 11 and 19 years old. The AAQ is a self-report questionnaire consisting of 9 items, three scales of three statements each: a) Availability scale; b) Goal corrected Partnership scale and c) Angry distress scale. The items were answered with Likert-type responses. The AAAQ was originally validated in a sample of 824 adolescents, 691 of which corresponded to non-clinical population and 133 corresponded to clinical population, demonstrating satisfactory internal reliability. To create the spanish version of the questionnaire, a translation-retranslation procedure was used evaluating semantic, content, construct and reliability validity. 

Results: The results showed adequate internal consistency of the instrument with Cronbach alpha's values between 0.52 and 0.74. Also, the factorial structure of the AAQ English version was replicated. Finally, temporary rules for the interpretation of results that consider age differences for one of the 3 scales are presented. 

Conclusions: It is concluded that the instrument is suitable for use because it is a short self-administered questionnaire that shows similar psychometric characteristics to the original English version.