The Factor Structure of the CA-MIR as Evaluated Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the factor structure of the CArtes- Modèles Individuels de Relations (CA-MIR), a self-report questionnaire designed to tap into the relational strategies of adults that was developed by a French-speaking research group coordinated by Blaise Pierrehumbert. The CA-MIR's particular merit lies in the richness and complexity of the theoretical model underpinning it. However, to date, this model has only been partially reproduced in studies using exploratory analysis and has never been tested via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).Objective and Method: We thus conducted CFA on data collected from a sample of 979 subjects, recruited using a snowball sampling method during the spring and fall of 2005. To assess if some item multidimensionality was present, we estimated both the independent clusters model (ICM-CFA) and a model in which some zero loading restrictions were removed.Results: The results supported the originally proposed structure of the CA-MIR; the large majority of items were good indicators of the expected latent dimensions and only few items showed relevant secondary loadings or loaded in an unexpected factor. The instrument adequately differentiates the three attachment styles, taking into account both past and present experiences of attachment relationships, and providing a rich and complex assessment of multiple features of attachment. In terms of internal consistency, alpha values were satisfactory and comparable to those found in the original Swiss validation study.Conclusions: Our results are of key importance for both research and clinical work, given the lack of valid and easy-to-administer tools for evaluating adult attachment.

Validation of the Camir-R Attachment Questionnaire in an Adult Spanish Sample

“…In our study, low alpha coefficients were found for this subscale; furthermore, and unlike in the case of all the attachment factors, correlations with eating disorder symptoms and borderline traits were not encountered. The low internal consistency of this subscale has also been reported in other validation studies (Garrido et al, 2009;Molina et al, 2018). The relative independence between this subscale and the evaluated symptoms could be explained due to the fact that although being part of the original CaMir-R, Value of parental authority does not assess attachment `per se´, but refers to family structure and/or functioning.…”

“…Weak psychometric properties of this subscale have also been reported in other studies. In fact, low alpha coefficients of the Parental Permisiveness subscale were found both in the CaMir-R original validation (Balluerka et al, 2011) and in the Chilean (Garrido, Santelices, Pierrehumbert, & Armijo, 2009) and the Italian (Molina, Casonato, Sala, & Testa, 2018) validations of the long versions of the questionnaire, even if the number of items was larger than in the reduced one.…”

“…Unlike the AAI and some other attachment interviews, all these self-report instruments rely on conscious self-evaluation, are extremely varied, and examine a diversity of contents such as early attachment experience, current representations of attachment, romantic relationships, representations of caregiving etc. (Molina, Casonato, Sala & Testa, 2018). Among the most known and widely used are the forced-choice Adult Attachment Styles self-report (Hazan & Shaver, 1987), the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991), the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ; Griffin y Bartholomew, 1994) the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR; Brennan, Clark & Shaver, 1998), the ECR-R (Fraley, Waller, & Brennan, 2000) and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA; Armsden & Greenberg, 1987).…”

“…Nowadays, there are some versions of the CaMir adapted to several languages such as French (Pierrehumbert et al, 1996), English (Miljkovitch et al, 2005), Italian (Molina, Casonato, Sala, & Testa, 2018), Chilean (Garrido, Santelices, Pierrehumbert, & Armijo, 2009). It is also translated to German, Chinese and Japanese (for more information check website):…”

Apego, neurocognición y cognición social en el espectro de la esquizofrenia

“…Por otro lado, los cuestionarios de tipo autoinforme se centran en las ideas conscientes sobre el apego y las relaciones (Molina, Casonato, Sala y Testa, 2018).…”