Premium
Security of Attachment in 8–12‐Year‐Olds: A Revised Version of the Separation Anxiety Test, its Psychometric Properties and Clinical Interpretation
Author(s) -
Wright John C.,
Binney Valerie,
Smith Peter K.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1995.tb01327.x
Subject(s) - socioemotional selectivity theory , psychology , developmental psychology , anxiety , clinical psychology , psychometrics , social competence , test validity , test (biology) , reliability (semiconductor) , competence (human resources) , psychiatry , social psychology , social change , paleontology , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , economics , biology , economic growth
This study examined the reliability and validity of an adapted version of the Separation Anxiety Test (SAT) for 8–12–year‐old children. Clinical ( N = 21) and nonclinical ( N = 21) participants were compared on responses to the SAT coded using the Seattle scoring indices. Inter‐rater reliability was established at an acceptable level, however, test‐retest reliability and internal test construction were less satisfactory. Sample comparisons found the clinical participants described themselves as less securely attached and more avoidant of emotional expression than the control participants. The indices of attachment security were also related to various socioemotional aspects of functioning. In addition, the results indicated that describing “self” as different from a similar “other” child was significantly related to parental reports of poor social competence. Results are discussed in relation to an Attachment Theory framework as well as from a clinical perspective.