Attachment and Spiritual Maturity 60
A statistical comparison of the two childhood measures was computed to assess the validity of the PBI as an adequate measure of perceived childhood attachment.
Seventy-four (34.9%) respondents reported Optimal parenting on the PBI consistent
with Hazan and Shaver's Secure measure. The second method was a comparison of the
mean scores on faith maturity across the childhood attachment categories of both the PBI
and Hazan and Shaver measure. The results showed similar patterns of scores across the two childhood attachment categories. These results show that the PBI measures variables of childhood that seem to be consistent with Hazan and Shaver's measure of childhood attachment. This suggests that there is a relationship between optimal parenting on the PBI and Hazan and Shaver's secure measure and they are likely measuring the same construct. One result suggested that there might be an inconsistentcy in the way people responded between the two measures. Seventeen respondents (8.0%) reported having
neglectful parenting on the PBI but also reported being securely attached to their parents
on Hazan and Shaver's measure. There are several possible explanations for this result. The first is subject bias. The subjects when forced to make a choice on Hazan and
Shaver's measure, may have been more likely to agree with the most desirable childhood
scenario and choose the secure category. On the other hand when asked questions
concerning the specific behaviors of their mothers on the PBI, they were responding to 25
questions with four options each. This resulted in reporting more neglectful behaviors
but not enough to be recorded as Insecure on Hazan and Shaver's measure.
The second explanation is measurement. The Hazen and Shaver measure may have
less ability to discriminate between secure and insecure attachment. When recalling the
overall experience ofmaternal parenting on the Hazan and Shaver measure, students
responded that their relationship was secure. Being asked more specifically about
different experiences with mother, their recall was less than secure and for some neglectful. Hazen and Shaver's measure, having only one question with three choices,
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker