Measuring attachment in large population studies: a systematic review

Lim, K., Corlett, L., Thompson, L. , Law, J., Wilson, P., Gillberg, C. and Minnis, H. (2010) Measuring attachment in large population studies: a systematic review. Educational and Child Psychology, 27(3), pp. 22-32.

Abstract

Objective: Measures of attachment for use in non-specialist settings where limited time is available for assessment, or for large study populations, have eluded researchers. This systematic review summarises measures of infant-parent attachment validated against the Strange Situation Procedure and evaluates the practicalities of their use in nonspecialist settings and large scale studies.<p></p> Study Design and Setting: We searched multiple bibliographic databases to identify references (between 1st January 1966 and 8th August 2007) describing measures of attachment.<p></p> Results: Six alternative measures of attachment were identified. When the logistics of these measures were evaluated, none were suitable for use in a large scale study or nonspecialist settings.<p></p> Conclusion: There are no measures in current usage suitable for the measurement of attachment in infants in large scale studies or non-specialist settings and there is a need to develop such a measure.<p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Minnis, Professor Helen and Thompson, Dr Lucy and Wilson, Dr Philip and Gillberg, Professor Christopher
• Authors: Lim, K., Corlett, L., Thompson, L., Law, J., Wilson, P., Gillberg, C., and Minnis, H.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Educational and Child Psychology
• Publisher: The British Psychological Society
• ISSN: 0267-1611