Factor structure, Validity and reliability of Persian form of Measure of Attachment Qualities (MAQ) in married couples: Multidimensional conceptualization of marital attachment

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Family Counseling, Kurdistan University, Sanandaj, Iran.

2 M. A in Counseling, University of isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

3 M. A in Counseling, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

Abstract

New approaches to construction and assessment of attachment dimensions reject category-based pattern. Nevertheless, the adult attachment assessment instruments that are using in Iran, classify and placement the individuals based on attachment type yet. This research done to render and investigate the characteristics of reliability, validity, and factorial construct of measure of attachment quality (MAQ) questionnaire, with the aim to design new patterns of attachment assessment among married adults. This research is a descriptive and survival and sample of the study included 520 subjects who selected randomly among the married clients who came to counseling centers of Isfahan. Research instruments included measure of attachment quality (MAQ), self-esteem, and satisfaction with life (SWL) questionnaires. Results confirmed the correctness of measure of attachment quality (MAQ) questionnaire translation and showed that the rate of Cronbach's alpha and Gattman split half for all questionnaire dimensions is higher than 0.7 and the correlation of each item with relevant factor is higher than 0.6. Retest score correlation with 3 months intervals obtained 0.7 for all dimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed four-factor structure of the questionnaire. The correlation test results showed that there was a positive and meaningful relationship between secure attachment with satisfaction with life (SWL) and self-esteem. In addition, the relationship between avoidant attachment, ambivalence merger attachment and ambivalence worry attachment with satisfaction with life (SWL), was negative (p > 0.01). A negative relationship obtained between avoidant attachment and ambivalence merger attachment with self-esteem (p < 0.05). Relationship between avoidant attachment and ambivalence merger attachment, as well as ambivalence worry attachment was positive (p < 0.01). Based on the results of the research, the measure of attachment quality (MAQ) questionnaire has optimal reliability and validity in research population and can used in clinical and research issues.

Keywords


 
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