Description
The AAQ includes items from Hazan and Shaver’s (1987) three category descriptions plus items specifically
developed to assess worries about abandonment and lack of reciprocation of love. The AAQ is a 17-item measure
comprising two subscales labeled: (a) avoidance and (b) ambivalence (attachment anxiety). The avoidance dimen-
sion reflects the degree to which individuals hold negative views of others and tend to avoid or withdraw from
closeness and intimacy in relationships. The ambivalence dimension reflects the degree to which a person pos-
sesses negative self-views and is excessively preoccupied with issues such as rejection, loss, and partner’s level of
commitment. Responses are on a 7-point Likert-type scale.
Sample
TheSimpson et al. (1996) study was based on 123 dating couples (123 males; 123 females) that had been dating
for at least six months ( M521 months). The ages of the men and women ranged from 17 to 23 years ( M519.6
years, and M518.9 years, respectively).
Reliability
Internal Consistency
The Cronbach alpha coefficient reported for the avoidance scale was .70 for men and .74 for women. The alpha
coefficient for the ambivalence dimension was .72 for men and .76 for women ( Simpson et al., 1996 ).
Test/C0Retest
No information on test /C0retest reliability was reported by Simpson et al. (1996) .
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
Simpson et al. (1996) calculated correlations between the two AAQ attachment dimensions and ratings of
Bartholomew and Horowitz’s (1991) four RQ prototypes. AAQ avoidance correlated positively with fearful (.55),
and dismissive (.32). AAQ ambivalence correlated positively with fearful (.32) and anxious-ambivalent (.46).
AAQ avoidance correlated positively with fearful-avoidant (.55), with dismissive-avoidant (.32) ( Simpson et al.,
1996 , Table 1, p. 905).
Divergent/Discriminant
Simpson et al. (1996) calculated correlations between the two AAQ attachment dimensions and ratings of
Bartholomew and Horowitz’s (1991) four RQ prototypes. AAQ avoidance correlated negatively with secure
(2.51), self-axis ( 2.29), while AAQ ambivalence correlated negatively with dismissive ( 2.17), with secure
(2.19), and with self-axis ( 2.52) (see Simpson, 1996, Table 1, p. 905).
Construct/Factor Analytic
A principal-axis factor analysis ( N5123) of the intercorrelations of the 17 AAQ item responses, using varimax
rotation, revealed two dimensions:
‘The first dimension reflects the extent to which individuals exhibit avoidance, that is, the degree to which they have negative views
of others and tend to avoid or withdraw from closeness and intimacy in relationships ...The second dimension taps individuals’ level
of ambivalence, which reflects the degree to which individuals possess negative self-views in regard to their relationships and are
excessively preoccupied with issues of abandonment, loss, and partners’ level of commitment.’ ( Simpson et al. (1996, pp. 902 /C0903)
Criterion/Predictive
Simpson et al. (1996) conducted a series of multiple regression analyses to predict, from the AAQ avoidance
and ambivalence subscales, real-life distress, anger, anxiety, supportiveness, and interaction quality during
an interaction with a partner when facing a stressful situation. These regression analyses were performed while
controlling for (a) Goldberg’s (1990) measure of the Big Five personality traits; (b) a series of relationship mea-
sures (love, liking, commitment, satisfaction, trust, and subjective closeness); and (c) the partner’s scores on
the dependent measures. AAQ avoidance was negatively predictive of understanding a partner’s feelings
during a relationship-threatening interaction, β52.33,p,.03 (Simpson et al., 2011 ), and with greater anger in a427 MEASURES OF ATTACHMENT ORIENTATION OR ATTACHMENT STYLE
IV. INTERPERSONAL STYLES