An alternative approach for the analyses and interpretation of attachment sort items

Abstract

Attachment Q-Sort (AQS) is a tool for quantifying observations about toddler/caregiver relationships. Previous studies have applied factor analysis to the full 90 AQS item set to explore the structure underlying them. Here we explore that structure by applying multidimensional scaling (MDS) to judgements of inter-item similarity. AQS items are arranged in the MDS solution along three easily interpretable axes: a model that is compatible with but more parsimonious than factor analysis solutions. This geometrical approach suggests ways to modify the AQS-primarily a research tool-to make it more practical for clinical applications. Sets of AQS data are represented and interpreted in the three-dimensional model as vectors. Summaries at a finer-grained level are obtained by finding points in the model where variability across datasets is greatest. We report re-analyses of archival (published) data, and also data collected with streamlined procedures more suitable in the field. Although not reported here, collection and analysis can both be performed online via a website. The general methodology is not restricted to the current application of toddler attachment.

Promoting birth parents' relationships with their toddlers upon reunification: Results from Promoting First Relationships® home visiting program

“…Secure base behavior was measured with the Toddler Attachment Sort-45 (TAS45; Kirkland, Bimler, Drawneek, McKim, & Schölmerich, 2004), which was scored immediately after each research home visit. The TAS45 is a 45-item modified version of the Attachment Q-Sort (AQS; Waters, 1987), a gold standard attachment measure which has been extensively validated (van IJzendoorn, Vereijken, Bakermans-Kranenburg, & Riksen-Walraven, 2004).…”

Can Parenting Intervention Prevent Cascading Effects From Placement Instability to Insecure Attachment to Externalizing Problems in Maltreated Toddlers?

“…Attachment security at baseline and postintervention was measured with the Toddler Attachment Sort-45 (TAS45; Kirkland, Bimler, Drawneek, McKim, & Schölmerich, 2004), which was scored immediately after each research home visit. The TAS45 is a 45-item modified version of the Attachment Q-Sort (AQS; Waters, 1987).…”

Randomized trial of Promoting First Relationships: Effects on maltreated toddlers' separation distress and sleep regulation after reunification

“…The Toddler Attachment Sort-45 (TAS45; Kirkland, Bimler, Drawneek, McKim, & Schölmerich, 2004) was scored immediately after each research home visit. The TAS45 is a 45-item modified version of the Attachment Q-Sort (AQS) (Waters, 1985).…”

“…The AQS is considered a ‘gold standard’ measure of attachment security (van IJzendoorn, Vereijken, Bakermans-Kranenburg, & Riksen-Walraven, 2004) which also has many dependency items. Kirkland et al (Kirkland, et al, 2004) used multidimensional scaling techniques to map 145 nonredundant items from two AQS versions (Waters, 1985; Waters & Deane, 1985) onto eight “Hotspot” or meaning clusters, and then reduced that number to include four to six of the best items for each hotspot. The Separation Distress hotspot weights most heavily on the following items: “When mom talks with others, child wants attention”, “Child is very clingy, stays close to mom”, “Child cries when mom leaves or moves to another place”, and “Child gets upset if mom leaves or shifts place”.…”