An Alternative Substantive Factor Structure of the Emotional Autonomy Scale

Abstract

Abstract. This study reexamined the factor structure of the Emotional Autonomy Scale (EAS; Steinberg & Silverberg, 1986) by means of confirmatory factor analysis on a large adolescent sample (N = 5065) from the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. By looking for homogeneous subsets of items within the EAS, the meaning of the measure was clarified. None of the factor structures of the EAS suggested in the literature was supported, because of lack of fit and/or lack of construct validity. Instead, a model with seven first-order factors (Deidealization, Nondependency, Nonimitation, Privacy, Perceived ignorance, Distrust, and Perceived alienation) and two second-order factors (Separation and Detachment) was retained that proved invariant and equal across gender and grade. These findings call for continuing work on the conceptual foundations of the EAS and have important implications for the ongoing debate on the developmental outcomes of emotional autonomy (the detachment debate).

Development of emotional autonomy from adolescence to young adulthood in Spain

“…We are aware that there is a debate about the instrument, in the sense that some authors question whether or not it really assesses Emotional Autonomy (Beyers et al, , 2005Ingoglia et al, 2011;Lamborn & Groh, 2009;Schmitz & Baer, 2001). However, alternative measurement models for the EAS, such as those suggested by the authors above (Beyers et al, 2005), could not be confirmed through factor analysis on our own data. Furthermore, EAS, continues to be a tool widely used by investigators as a measure of Emotional Autonomy from parents (e.g.…”

“…To go further in the concept of Emotional Autonomy, some research presents a more complex view of the Emotional Autonomy construct by including separation and detachment as dimensions Beyers, Goossens, VanCalster, & Duriez, 2005;Ingoglia, Lo Coco, Liga, & Cricchio, 2011;Lamborn & Groh, 2009;Pace & Zappulla, 2010). For them, Emotional Separation and Detachment from parents are two separate constructs, each related to different dimensions of the functioning of the parent--adolescent relationship and related in a different way with adolescent well-being.…”

Attachment and Autonomy During Adolescence

“…However, there is further disagreement as to whether emotional autonomy is more adaptive in the context of negative vs. positive parent -adolescents relationships. Still others have noted that different versions of this measure, different samples, and divergent methods of analyses have been utilized across these various studies, which complicates interpretation of the findings (Beyers & Goossens, 1999 ;Beyers, Goossens, Vansant, & Moors, 2003 ;Beyers, Goossens, Van Calster, & Duriez, 2005 ). Despite the ongoing controversies surrounding this measure, many -if not most -of the self -report studies of adolescent autonomy have utilized the EAS.…”

The Leuven Adolescent Perceived Parenting Scale (LAPPS): Reliability and Validity with French-Speaking Adolescents in Belgium

“…Specifically, we hypothesised that psychological distancing, a more negative aspect of the relationship, would show significant negative correlations with the 'enabling' aspects of perceived parenting (i.e., responsiveness and autonomy support) and significant positive correlations with the 'constraining' aspects of perceived parenting (i.e., behavioural control and psychological control). These associations were expected to hold for both subscales of the EAS, that is, separation and detachment, which were found to show a positive association in earlier research (Beyers, Goossens, Van Calster, & Duriez, 2005;Beyers, Goossens, Vansant, & Moors, 2003). See Appendix.…”