The name is absent

Abstract

This study assessed attachment security in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum
disorders, using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI; George, Kaplan & Main, 1996). Of
twenty participants, three were classified as securely attached, the same proportion as
would be expected in a general clinical sample. Participants’ AAIs were less coherent and
lower in reflective function than those of controls, who were matched for attachment
status and mood disorder. A parallel interview suggested that some aspects of
participants’ responses were influenced by their general discourse style, while other AAI
scale scores appeared to reflect their state of mind with respect to attachment more
specifically. There was little evidence that attachment security was related to IQ, autistic
symptomatology or theory of mind. This study suggests that adults with autism can engage
with the AAI and produce scoreable narratives of their attachment experiences, and a
minority demonstrate secure attachment.

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