Attachment in adults with high-functioning autism

Taylor, Emma and Target, Mary and Charman, Tony (2008) Attachment in adults with high-functioning autism. Attachment and Human Development, 10 (2). pp. 143-163. ISSN 1461-6734

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14616730802113687

Abstract

This study assessed attachment security in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders, using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI; George, Kaplan & Main, 1996). Of twenty participants, three were classified as securely attached, the same proportion as would be expected in a general clinical sample. Participants’ AAIs were less coherent and lower in reflective function than those of controls, who were matched for attachment status and mood disorder. A parallel interview suggested that some aspects of participants’ responses were influenced by their general discourse style, while other AAI scale scores appeared to reflect their state of mind with respect to attachment more specifically. There was little evidence that attachment security was related to IQ, autistic symptomatology or theory of mind. This study suggests that adults with autism can engage with the AAI and produce scoreable narratives of their attachment experiences, and a minority demonstrate secure attachment.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is an electronic version of an article published in Taylor, Emma and Target, Mary and Charman, Tony (2008) Attachment in adults with high-functioning autism. Attachment and Human Development, 10 (2). pp. 143-163. Attachment and Human Development is available online at: http://www.informaworld.com/10.1080/14616730802113687
Uncontrolled Keywords:	autism, Asperger’s syndrome, attachment, AAI, security
Subjects:	Departments > Psychology and Human Development
Depositing User:	IOE Repository Editor (2)
Date Deposited:	13 May 2010 08:51
Last Modified:	26 Jun 2012 22:33
URI:	http://eprints.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/4441

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