Structure of reflective functioning and adult attachment scales: overlap and distinctions |
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| Authors: | Allison Jessee Sarah C. Mangelsdorf Maria S. Wong Sarah J. Schoppe-Sullivan Geoffrey L. Brown |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, USA;2. Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA;3. Department of Psychology, Stevenson University, Stevenson, MD, USA;4. Department of Human Development &5. Family Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA;6. College of Family &7. Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA |
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| Abstract: | This investigation examined the structure of reflective functioning (RF) – an understanding of the links between mental states and behaviors – and adult attachment scales. Both RF and traditional adult attachment scales were coded based on 194 prebirth Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI). Correlational and factor analyses indicated considerable overlap between RF and traditional AAI coding. Exploratory factor analyses of RF and AAI state-of-mind scales indicated that RF loaded, along with coherence of mind, on the primary factor distinguishing between individuals categorized as secure and dismissing. These findings indicate substantial overlap between RF and AAI scales; however, the magnitude of the correlations between these scales indicates that they are not redundant. |
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| Keywords: | Reflective functioning adult attachment factor analysis mentalization |
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