Citation

Fraley RC, Hudson NW, Heffernan ME, Segal N. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 2015; 109(2): 354-368.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/pspp0000027

PMID

25559192

Abstract

One of the long-standing debates in the study of adult attachment is whether individual differences are best captured using categorical or continuous models. Although early research suggested that continuous models might be most appropriate, we revisit this issue here because (a) categorical models continue to be widely used in the empirical literature, (b) contemporary models of individual differences raise new questions about the structure of attachment, and (c) methods for addressing the types versus dimensions question have become more sophisticated over time. Analyses based on 2 samples indicate that individual differences appear more consistent with a dimensional rather than a categorical model. This was true with respect to general attachment representations and attachment in specific relationship contexts (e.g., attachment with parents and peers). These findings indicate that dimensional models of attachment style may be better suited for conceptualizing and measuring individual differences across multiple levels of analysis.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Humans; Individuality; Interpersonal Relations; Models, Psychological; Object Attachment; Psychometrics