From theory to measurement: the development of the Attachment Defenses Questionnaire

<p dir="ltr">This thesis addresses the interplay between insecure attachment, internal narratives, and defensive behaviour with the aim of developing a self-report scale for attachment defenses. The thesis begins with a theoretical chapter examining attachment theory and defense and proposes a model of an “internalized defensive narrative” consisting of support-seeking processes, perceptions about support availability, and distress relief operations, which are theorized to contribute to the self-perpetuating cycle of insecurity and defensive behaviour.</p><p dir="ltr">The aim of the second chapter is to understand what differentiates attachment-avoidance and attachment-anxiety in terms of associations with defensive functioning. In this online questionnaire design study (<i>N </i>= 250), a subclinical population completed the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR) and the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ- 60). The results suggest that the two dimensions of insecure attachment have distinctive patterns of defense and provide a promising framework for organizing psychological defenses.</p><p dir="ltr">The third chapter focuses on the development of the <i>Attachment Defenses Questionnaire </i>(ADQ), a self-report instrument that measures attachment-related defense mechanisms. By employing exploratory factor analyses and conducting two studies with large sample sizes (<i>N </i>= 1994; <i>N </i>= 726), the ADQ exhibits robust psychometric properties and consistency with theoretical expectations. The final version of the ADQ consists of ten factors and 50 items, and an alternate two-factor solution consisting of hyperactivating defenses and deactivating defenses (with 30 items).</p><p dir="ltr">The fourth chapter presents a study that seeks to validate the ADQ in a diverse clinical sample (<i>N </i>=250), focusing on its convergent and predictive validity. The ADQ effectively measures attachment-based defenses and predicts attachment styles, general defense mechanisms, and borderline traits.</p><p dir="ltr">The thesis discusses how the ADQ carries implications for understanding defense mechanisms and enhancing clinical practice. The model we present elucidates the cyclical nature of issues tied to attachment, underlining the intricate relationship between attachment styles and defensive tactics. This framework provides a means to use defenses as a lens to better conceptualize clients’ challenges and perform in-depth functional analyses of problematic behaviours. Through analysis of the nexus between defensive behaviour and ingrained attachment narratives, clinicians can pinpoint effective intervention strategies. Depending on the presence of attachment-avoidance or attachment-anxiety, therapeutic strategies might target various facets of the cycle.</p><p dir="ltr">Future research directions are highlighted. For example, additional validation studies for the ADQ are suggested. It would be beneficial to investigate how the ADQ predicts specific behaviours, such as self-harm in BPD. Furthermore, research could also explore cultural narratives concerning attachment and defense mechanisms. This would boost the ADQ's practicality by linking predictions to real outcomes and considering cultural nuances.</p>