Shahid Beheshti University Applied Psychology 2008-4331 18 4 2024 12 21 Development and Validation of Visual Search Test to Measure Attentional Bias Towards Attachment-Related Images Development and Validation of Visual Search Test to Measure Attentional Bias Towards Attachment-Related Images 105 123 105048 10.48308/apsy.2024.236923.1704 FA Saloomeh Ghasemi Monsef Ph.D. Student in Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. 0009-0007-1010-964X Masoumeh Azmoodeh Assistant Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. 0000-0003-1534-9814 Javad Mesrabadi Professor, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran. 0000-0001-7717-2298 Marzieh Alivandi Vafa 4. Associate Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. 0000-0002-1197-9598 Journal Article 2024 09 16 Aim: Investigating the cognitive and neurophysiological foundations of attachment requires assessing its automatic dimensions. This study aimed to develop and validate a visual search test to measure attentional bias toward attachment-related images. Method: This descriptive study included a sample of 258 students (153 women) with an average age of 21.3, selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed a computerized visual search test, the Revised Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (Fraley et al., 2000), the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (Hazan & Shaver, 1987), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 2002). Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and mixed analysis of variance. Results: Regarding convergent validity, attentional bias showed a positive and significant relationship with anxiety (p < 0.05). Additionally, attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) were negatively correlated with attentional bias (p < 0.05). In terms of discriminant validity, the test effectively distinguished securely attached individuals from insecure groups (p < 0.001), with insecure groups displaying greater avoidance of attachment-related images. Reliability analysis indicated that the visual search test had moderate test-retest reliability (0.46 to 0.57) and relatively high internal consistency (0.63 to 0.77). Conclusion: The findings support the validity and reliability of the visual search test for measuring attachment-related attentional bias. These results encourage researchers to explore the automatic dimensions of attachment rather than relying solely on self-report measures. Aim: Investigating the cognitive and neurophysiological foundations of attachment requires assessing its automatic dimensions. This study aimed to develop and validate a visual search test to measure attentional bias toward attachment-related images. Method: This descriptive study included a sample of 258 students (153 women) with an average age of 21.3, selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed a computerized visual search test, the Revised Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (Fraley et al., 2000), the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (Hazan & Shaver, 1987), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 2002). Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and mixed analysis of variance. Results: Regarding convergent validity, attentional bias showed a positive and significant relationship with anxiety (p < 0.05). Additionally, attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) were negatively correlated with attentional bias (p < 0.05). In terms of discriminant validity, the test effectively distinguished securely attached individuals from insecure groups (p < 0.001), with insecure groups displaying greater avoidance of attachment-related images. Reliability analysis indicated that the visual search test had moderate test-retest reliability (0.46 to 0.57) and relatively high internal consistency (0.63 to 0.77). Conclusion: The findings support the validity and reliability of the visual search test for measuring attachment-related attentional bias. These results encourage researchers to explore the automatic dimensions of attachment rather than relying solely on self-report measures.

https://apsy.sbu.ac.ir/article_105048_dc12daf17f6e29b05a01cb32a22e26e6.pdf