Il Questionario «Experiences In Close Relationships» (Ecr) Per la Valutazione dell’attaccamento negli Adulti: Ampliamento Delle Evidenze di Validità per la Versione Italiana.

Objective Improvement in the assessment of adult attachment are mandatory, if research on attachment and psychopathology is to make substantial progress. In a preliminary study, the Italian version of the questionnaire ‘Experiences in Close Relationships’ (ECR) demonstrated good psychometric properties. We aimed at collecting further evidence of the validity of the questionnaire. Methods We included in the study subjects of 18-65 years, with at least junior high school degree. We examined convergent validity on 364 subjects, with the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) as a criterion measure. In these subjects, we also compared three different Italian translations of item 21 with regard to factorial validity and internal consistency. Data from these subjects and other 386 subjects were used to compute norms for scale scores, stratified for age and gender. Results Internal consistency was satisfactory. Cronbach’s alpha was. 89 for both the ‘Anxiety’ and ‘Avoidance’ scales. A new Italian version of item 21 showed better psychometric properties as compared to the preceding version. A six-factor solution was obtained, explaining 61.3% of total variance. Then, factor scores were computed with the regression method, and a second-order factor analysis was performed. A two-factor solution was obtained, and the factors were clearly interpretable as ‘anxiety’ and ‘avoidance’. The pattern of correlations between ECR and RQ was as hypothesised, and the ECR was also found to possess good classification properties. Conclusion The Italian version of the ECR was confirmed to be reliable and valid. It might be useful for Italian researchers interested in adult attachment.