Date of Award
5-21-2015
Document Type
Undergraduate Capstone Project
Degree Name
Psy.D.
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Hale Martin
Second Advisor
Peter Buirski
Third Advisor
Diane Guerra
Keywords
Adult Attachment Projective, Adult attachment, AAP, Clinical utility
Abstract
The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) is the first performance- based measure of adult attachment to be developed. The purpose of the measure is to provide a clinical understanding of an adult client's attachment status and associated coping mechanisms. The AAP is a relatively new measure that has yet to be examined from a utility perspective. In the current study, seven psychologists completed a structured survey in order to identify their perspectives of the AAP and its utility as a clinical instrument. A phenomenological qualitative analysis of the data was conducted to derive themes about the AAP and its clinical utility. Analyses aimed to answer the following: What clinical considerations do clinician's focus on when deciding to use this measure? What are common factors among clinician's who do use the measure as well as those who do not? What aspects of the measure are user-friendly and what aspects are difficult? General themes that emerged include (a) the clinical information provided by the AAP is viewed by those who use it as unique and beneficial; (b) time commitment and cost for the clinician are common considerations when clinician's are deciding whether or not to use the AAP or when pursuing training; (c) the AAP provides an increased understanding of one's relational capacities and defenses; and (d) the coding system and transcription process are difficult aspects of the AAP and influence how and/or when it is used. In addition to these themes, multiple respondents discussed potential changes for the AAP that would increase their future use of the instrument. Finally, the implications of these results are discussed.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Extent
37 pages
Recommended Citation
Gunterman, Ashley, "The Clinical Utility of the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System: A Clinician's Perspective" (2015). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 67.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/67