Useful Measures of Adult Attachment and Object Relations in Psychotherapy

This is a literature review of objective and projective measures of attachment and object relations in adults, with the objective of reviewing outstanding research to identify the key factors for adult attachment assessment considered within attachment and object relations theories, what measures of adult attachment styles and dysfunction work best, and to provide key themes of assistance in the measurement of attachment and object relations in adult clients in psychotherapy. Theoretical foundations of attachment and object relations theory are reviewed as well as objective and projective instruments grouped by format. The 10 themes found to be useful in the assessment of attachment are context, affect, discourse, boundary issues, the role of avoidance, self-protection and the role of danger, degree of mutuality and autonomy, personal images and history of socialization, early memories and dreams, and imagination. Implications for the use of assessment instruments in psychotherapy are discussed. This research facilitates the location of instruments to focus on specific issues related to functioning in adult interpersonal relationships.