Questionnaires on the therapeutic alliance are available, but most show inflated scores, limited variability, and few significant findings on the bonds domain. Results of a study of 251 clinical couples, on the development of an Attachment Based Alliance Questionnaire (ABAQ), are presented. Factor analysis (EFA and CFA), show that a one-factor or two-factor structure fit the data, with more support for a one-factor model. Both models map closely with attachment constructs. Results also show that the ABAQ is predictive of changes couples make early in therapy and demonstrated adequate reliability and validity. The ABAQ provides a tool for clinicians as they learn how to attune to relationships in couple therapy and is helpful to researchers in understanding the alliance.
© 2018 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.