Attitudes Toward Attachment Scale

Abstract

The Attitudes Toward Attachment Scale, developed by Thomas et al. (2023), is designed to evaluate attitudes toward attachment among expectant African American fathers. This instrument emerged from research exploring the influence of life stress on prenatal attitudes toward attachment, specifically focusing on the extent to which expectant fathers advocate for promoting attachment security in their infants. The study also investigated whether shift-and-persist cognitive strategies, a psychological resilience factor characterized by shifting to a positive focus and future orientation, moderated these relationships. The chosen items within the scale are intended to gauge the degree to which expectant fathers endorse fostering attachment security in their infants. These items encapsulate four fundamental constructs of attachment security: emotional security, safety, trust, and independence/exploration. Data were gathered from a sample of expectant fathers aged 18 to 51 years. The research revealed that the association between positive attitudes toward attachment and both negative life events and depressive symptomatology was moderated by the fathers’ capacity to engage in shift-and-persist strategies. Internal consistency results were reported, though the authors cautioned that these findings are preliminary. They recommend that future research continue to develop and refine this construct and further assess the reliability and validity of measures evaluating attitudes toward attachment across diverse populations.

Keywords
Black Fathers; Expectant Fathers; Attachment Attitudes; Prenatal Period

Authors
Thomas, Clare R.; Collins, Christopher C.; Aytuglu, Alp; Brown, Geoffrey L.

Purpose
This measure assesses attitudes toward attachment among expectant African American fathers, specifically evaluating the extent to which they endorse promoting attachment security in their infants.

Validity
No data is Available

Reliability
The internal consistency of the scale, as reported, is α = .70.

Factor Analysis
No data is Available

Instrument

• Test Type: Original

• Format: Items are rated on a scale ranging from 1-4.

• Language Available: English

• Population Group: Human; Male

• Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older); Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs); Thirties (30-39 yrs); Middle Age (40-64 yrs)

• Population Details: Respondents are expectant fathers located in the United States.

• Test Methodology: Test Reliability; Internal Consistency.

Keywords
Attachment Behavior; Expectant Fathers; Male Attitudes; Perinatal Period; Family and Parenting Measures; Black People

Authors

• Thomas, Clare R.

  • Author ORCID Identifier: orcid.org/0000-0002-7412-8213

  • Affiliation: University of Georgia Department of Human Development and Family Sciences

  • Email Address: [email protected]

• Collins, Christopher C.

  • Affiliation: University of Georgia Department of Human Development and Family Sciences

• Aytuglu, Alp

  • Author ORCID Identifier: orcid.org/0000-0002-2226-1928

  • Affiliation: University of Georgia Department of Human Development and Family Sciences

• Brown, Geoffrey L.

  • Affiliation: University of Georgia Department of Human Development and Family Sciences

Correspondence Address
Thomas, Clare R.: University of Georgia, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, 375 Dawson Hall, Athens, Georgia, United States, 30601, [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

• Permissions: May use for Research/Teaching

• Commercial: No

• Fee: No

• Test Year: 2023

References
Thomas, C. R., Collins, C. C., Aytuglu, A., & Brown, G. L. (2024). Life stress and unmarried, Black fathers’ attitudes toward attachment: The moderating role of shift-and-persist. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 25(1), 27–32. doi.org/10.1037/men0000446

Attitudes Toward Attachment Scale

• My child should know that it is ok to cry or be sad.

• My child should feel safe and secure.

• My child should feel like they can trust people.

• My child should learn to be independent.

Note

Items are rated on a scale of 1 = not at all important, to 4 = very important.