The development of the Attachment Defenses Questionnaire (ADQ-50): a preliminary examination of reliability, validity, and factor structure

This paper marks the initial phase in the development of the Attachment Defenses Questionnaire (ADQ-50), a self-report tool crafted to assess defense mechanisms associated with attachment processes, catering to both clinical and research contexts. Anchored in the theoretical framework of attachment theory, the ADQ posits that an individual’s internalized attachment style plays a influential role in predicting their defense mechanisms. The paper outlines the comprehensive development and refinement process of the ADQ-50. In Study 1 a preliminary 176-item version of the ADQ was examined. Data was collected online drawing from participants sourced from Prolific and undergraduate students (N = 1994). Study 2 further refined the ADQ, evaluating its initial convergent validity with a diverse participant pool (N = 726), including undergraduates, Prolific contributors, general practice medical patients, and individuals from social media. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a robust ten-factor structure, resulting in a 50-item scale aligning with theoretical expectations and demonstrating good psychometric properties. Findings, limitations, strengths and future research directions are discussed. We posit that the ADQ holds great potential to deepen our comprehension of defense mechanisms linked to attachment, with wide-ranging implications for clinical practices.