Using Attachment to Better Understand the Therapy Alliance: The Attachment Based Alliance Questionnaire

Keywords

therapy alliance, attachment constructs, couples, couple therapy

Abstract

Questionnaires on the therapeutic alliance are available, but most show inflated scores, limited variability, and few significant findings on the bonds domain. Results of a study of 251 clinical couples, on the development of an Attachment Based Alliance Questionnaire (ABAQ), are presented. Factor analysis (EFA and CFA), show that a one‐factor or two‐factor structure fit the data, with more support for a one‐factor model. Both models map closely with attachment constructs. Results also show that the ABAQ is predictive of changes couples make early in therapy and demonstrated adequate reliability and validity. The ABAQ provides a tool for clinicians as they learn how to attune to relationships in couple therapy and is helpful to researchers in understanding the alliance.

Original Publication Citation

Johnson, L. N., Ketring, S. A., & Espino, J. (2018). Using attachment to better understand the therapy alliance: The Attachment Based Alliance Questionnaire. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. (DOI) 10.1111/jmft.12324

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2018-02-21

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5355

Publisher

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS