Criterion/Predictive
A longitudinal study ( Zayas, Mischel, Shoda, & Aber, 2011 ) showed that observed maternal caregiving when
children were 18 months old predicted lower adult anxiety with romantic partners and lower avoidance with
friends and partners. The predictive correlations for attachment to peers were higher than were those with
mothers. The differential predictive effects of early parental behavior on different later relationships could not
have been observed with previous, general measures of attachment security or insecurity prior to the develop-
ment of the ECR-RS.
Location
Fraley, R.C., Heffernan, M.E., Vicary, A.M., & Brumbaugh, C.C. (2011). The Experiences in Close
Relationships-Relationship Structures Questionnaire: A method for assessing attachment orientations across
relationships. Psychological Assessment, 23 , 615/C0625.
Results and Comments
Fraley et al. (2011) developed the Experiences in Close Relationships: Relationship Structure Questionnaire
(ECR-RS) to allow researchers to evaluate the degree of attachment-orientation similarity and difference across
different relationships. The ECR-RS allows assessment of attachment anxiety and avoidance in different
relationships.
EXPERIENCES IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS /C0RELATIONSHIP
STRUCTURES QUESTIONNAIRE
Please answer the following 10 questions about your
mother or a mother-like figure.
1.I usually discuss my problems and concerns with
this person.
2.I talk things over with this person.
3.It helps to turn to this person in times of need.
4.I find it easy to depend on this person.
5.I prefer not to show this person how I feel
deep down.
6.I don’t feel comfortable opening up to this person.7.I’m afraid this person may abandon me.
8.I worry that this person won’t care about me as
much as I care about him or her.
9.I often worry that this person doesn’t really care
for me.
10.I don’t fully trust this person.
Notes : Items are rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale
ranging from: 1 5Strongly disagree to 7 5Strongly
agree.
Reproduced with permission.
State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM)
(Gillath et al., 2009 ).
Variable
As with most psychological constructs, it is possible to measure both state and trait attachment insecurities. To
measure attachment states, Gillath et al. (2009) constructed the SAAM.
Description
Gillath et al. (2009) reworded the 36 ECR items with reference to a particular situation or context. They devised
new items to assess combinations of anxiety and avoidance (Bartholomew’s secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dis-
missing patterns), as well as items addressing content such as the low end of the anxiety dimension (e.g., ‘I feel
relaxed knowing that close others are there for me right now’). They invited attachment researchers to examine
the new item pool and make suggestions for any additional items. The final version of the SAAM included 21
items that loaded on three factors: anxiety, avoidance, and security. Items are rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale
measuring three factors labeled: Security, Anxiety, and Avoidance. In order to measure attachment as a state, par-
ticipants must respond as to how they feel right now.434 15. MEASURES OF ADULT ATTACHMENT AND RELATED CONSTRUCTS
IV. INTERPERSONAL STYLES