ASQ-SF
Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ-SF)
The ASQ-SF is a self-report tool that measures adult attachment styles, particularly the avoidant and anxious dimensions. It relies on 5 subscales to explore relational dynamics in finer detail, such as need for approval or discomfort with intimacy. Its dimensional structure and clinical norms make it a useful instrument for enriching case formulation and guiding therapeutic interventions focused on interpersonal relationships.
- Number of questions
- 29 questions
- Estimated duration
- 7 minutes
- Language
- English
- Original name
- Attachment Style Questionnaire
- Target audience
- Adults
- Authors
- Alexander, R., Feeney, J., Hohaus, L., & Noller, P. (2001)
- Category
- Emotional dependency, Interpersonal issues
Preview of the 29 questions
Scoring & interpretation
The ASQ-SF measures adult attachment styles through 2 main dimensions: avoidant attachment and anxious attachment, each derived from several specific subscales.
The questionnaire consists of 29 items, divided into 5 subscales:
-
Discomfort with closeness
Items: 2, 3, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 27 -
Relationships as secondary
Items: 4, 5, 6, 9 -
Preoccupation with relationships
Items: 13, 17, 22, 23, 25 -
Need for approval
Items: 7, 8, 10, 19, 21 -
Confidence in interpersonal interactions
Items: 1, 14, 24, 26, 28, 29
Add up the responses (Likert scale from 1 to 6) for each subscale to obtain the raw scores. Responses to items 15, 16, and 26 are reverse-scored.
The main attachment styles are calculated from the subscales above, with an adjustment based on certain items of the confidence subscale to account for the level of relational security.
The avoidant attachment score (range -5 to 75) is calculated by adding the scores of the Discomfort with closeness and Relationships as secondary subscales, then subtracting the scores of items 1, 14, and 28 from the Confidence in interpersonal interactions subscale.
The anxious attachment score (range -18 to 57) is calculated by adding the scores of the Preoccupation with relationships and Need for approval subscales, then subtracting the scores of items 24, 26, and 29 from the same confidence subscale.
These adjustments correct the scores to reflect the protective effect of more secure attachment.
- High scores indicate a marked expression of the attachment style concerned (avoidant or anxious).
- Low or negative scores suggest more secure attachment or a marked absence of insecure attachment traits.
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