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Measuring attachment security in patients with advanced cancer: psychometric properties of a modified and brief Experiences in Close Relationships scale
Author(s) -
Lo Christopher,
Walsh Andrew,
Mikulincer Mario,
Gagliese Lucia,
Zimmermann Camilla,
Rodin Gary
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1417
Subject(s) - distress , psychology , closeness , population , scale (ratio) , clinical psychology , anxiety , psychometrics , developmental psychology , psychiatry , demography , quantum mechanics , mathematical analysis , physics , mathematics , sociology
Objective : Attachment security has been identified as an important buffer of distress in patients with cancer and other medical illnesses but current measures have not been adapted for this population who may be older, in long‐term stable relationships, and suffering from considerable disease burden. This study reports on (1) the psychometric properties of a modified 36‐item Experiences in Close Relationships scale (ECR), adapted for this population; and (2) the validity of a brief 16‐item version of our modified scale. Methods : A modified ECR (ECR‐M36) was constructed by rephrasing relevant items to refer more generally to people with whom one feels close, instead of specifically in relation to one's romantic partner(s). Patients with metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) and lung cancer completed the ECR‐M36 and other scales tapping self‐esteem, social support, and depressive symptoms on two occasions within a period of 4–6 months. Based on factor analyses of the ECR‐M36, 16 items were selected to form a brief measure (ECR‐M16). Results : Factor analyses of both ECR forms revealed a higher‐order factor structure in which four first‐order factors (Worrying about Relationships, Frustration about Unavailability, Discomfort with Closeness, Turning Away from Others) loaded onto two second‐order factors tapping Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance. Both ECR forms were reliable and valid. Conclusion : The ECR‐M36 and ECR‐M16 are good measures of attachment orientations for use with medically ill, older populations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.