Validating the Supervision Partnership as a Phase of Attachment

Abstract

The goal of this study was to expand current attachment models by validating a three-component model of the supervision partnership conceptualization of attachment (accessibility and availability of attachment figures, willingness to communicate, and mutual recognition of other’s rights in decision-making). The model was tested by examining associations with parenting, friendship quality, other attachment measures, temperament, and IQ. In a sample of 92 10- to 14-year-olds, the three components of the supervision partnership were significantly related to each other, other attachment measures and child reports of parenting and friendship, and demonstrated some discriminant validity with temperament and IQ. This study provides support for the supervision partnership as a phase of attachment in late middle childhood and early adolescence.