A new method of evaluating attachment representations in young school-age children: the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task.
We describe a new instrument, using a doll-play vignette completion method, which applies concepts and methodologies from infant and adult attachment research to enable identification and detailed classification of internal representations of attachment relationships in young school-age children. Validation of the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST) in a normal population (N = 53) shows good interrater reliability and content validity. Patterns of attachment representation identified show stability over time. Comparisons are made with existing methodologies, and potential applications of the instrument and directions for future research are discussed.
Green
J
J
Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Charlestown Road, Blackley, Manchester M9 7AA, UK. jonathan.green@man.ac.uk
Stanley
C
C
Smith
V
V
Goldwyn
R
R
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010553:Personality Development; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011386:Projective Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results