Scale Overview
The Attachment Styles Scale – ASS was developed by Thomas E. Becker, Robert S. Billings, Daniel M. Eveleth, Nicole W. Gilbert (1997). It is designed to measure Adult Attachment Styles. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 25 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Secure, Anxious/Ambivalent, Avoidant.
| Factor / Subscale |
Items |
N |
| Secure |
1,9,12,13,19,20,22,23,25 |
9 |
| Anxious/Ambivalent |
3,5,7,11,15,21,24 |
7 |
| Avoidant |
4,6,14,16,17,18 |
6 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Very characteristic of me, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5, 6 = 6, 7 = Not at all characteristic of me.
The scale includes 6 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Secure alpha = .80, Avoidant alpha = .79, Anxious/Ambivalent alpha = .82.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 7 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.