Work

Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire: Preliminary Evidence for a Revised Factor Structure Among Adolescents in Residential Care

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: The attachment framework has been used to understand individuals’ development and the emergence of difficulties in specific contexts and developmental stages. The Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire (VASQ) is a brief self-report measure initially designed to assess adult attachment as a vulnerability factor for the development of depression. The present study aimed to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the VASQ in a sample of adolescents living in residential care and to provide preliminary evidence for a revised version of the instrument in this population. Methods: A total of 438 youths, aged 12 to 18 years (M = 15.34), completed the questionnaire. Data were randomly split to conduct independent exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Results: A three-factor model, consisting of two types of insecurity (ambivalent and avoidant) and a proximity-seeking dimension, emerged as the best-fitting solution. This revised structure involved removing several items while maintaining acceptable psychometric properties and meaningful associations with psychological adjustment. Concurrent validity was assessed by examining youth psychological adjustment, and positive correlations emerged as expected. Conclusions: The findings provide preliminary support for a shortened, restructured version of the VASQ for adolescents in residential care. Rather than confirming the original factorial structure, the results highlight the need to consider population-specific adaptations of the instrument. This version may have potential utility in clinical or intervention contexts and underscores the need to train institutional workers to develop competencies tailored to this population.

Source: Children

DOI: 10.3390/children13040551

Authors: Ana Simão, Cátia Martins, Antonia Bifulco, Cristina Nunes

Institutions: University of Algarve, Middlesex University London

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896