A Validation of Instruments for Measuring Temperament and Attachment in a Mother-Child Dyad

Abstract

A mother and child are active partners in the development of a reciprocal system of reactions to form an attachment relationship. Facilitation of a healthy maternal–child relationship is a goal toward which pediatric nurses direct their interventions. Tb accurately assess the temperaments of both mothers and young children, and their attachment behaviors, reliable and valid measuring instruments are necessary.

The findings of this study support the need for further research on the construct validity of the NYLS Temperament and Attachment Q–set instruments. Factor analyses demonstrated the NYLS Young Adult Questionnaire to have seven subscales rather than thenine stipulated in the literature. Evidence of robust factors was not presented. Watersand Deane (1985) stipulated four criterion sorts for the Attachment Q–set. Four factors were interpreted with three of them congruent with the literature. There was evidence of the factors being robust. To further insure creditable construct validity studies, multiple samples from different populations need to be employed in future studies.

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