The Brief Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Engagement Scale: A Tool for Measuring Attachment Behaviors in Clinical Couples

Keywords

measuring behavior, clinical couples, attachment behaviors

Abstract

Measuring attachment behaviors is relevant to creating secure couple relationships. This article seeks to test and examine the reliability and validity of the Brief Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Engagement (BARE) Scale—a practical measure of couple attachment–in a clinical sample. Couples took the BARE and other assessments measuring relationship functioning (self and partner reports of relationship satisfaction, relationship stability, positive and negative communication, and attachment styles). Results suggest that the BARE appears to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing couple attachment and can accurately predict and classify whether the couples belong in the clinical or nonclinical group, as well as their level of relationship satisfaction. Results also indicate attachment behaviors are related to relationship outcomes.

Original Publication Citation

Sandberg, J.G., Novak, J.R., Davis, S.Y., Busby, D.M. (2016). The Brief Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Engagement Scale: A Tool for Measuring Attachment Behaviors in Clinical Couples: Implications for Couples Therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 42(1), 106-122.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2016-01-08

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5263

Publisher

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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