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Validation of an adapted scale to assess adult attachment styles in organizational contexts

Dolores Lucía Sutil-Martín,Juan José Rienda-Gómez,Elisa I. Villena-Martínez,Diego Rienda-Villena

Published 2025 in Journal of Management & Organization

ABSTRACT

Abstract This study presents the design and validation of an organizational attachment scale that integrates Bowlby’s attachment theory into the analysis of workplace behavior. Its goal is to offer organizations a rigorous and reliable tool to assess how attachment styles influence professional dynamics, such as interpersonal relations, stress management, collaboration, job satisfaction, and team performance. The theoretical relevance lies in explaining how individuals form, maintain, or avoid emotional bonds with colleagues, supervisors, and the organization itself, insights that are essential for enhancing both employee well-being and organizational effectiveness. The research responds to the transition from Taylorist management models to contemporary “quantum” paradigms, where flexibility, complexity, and human factors are central, and organizations operate in BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible) environments. Using a quantitative, non-experimental design, data were collected through LinkedIn from 204 team leaders and middle managers across various industries. Statistical validation included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, internal consistency testing, and assessments of convergent and discriminant validity. Results revealed a solid three-factor structure, secure, anxious, and avoidant attachment, showing high reliability and strong construct validity. These findings confirm the instrument’s effectiveness in distinguishing attachment styles in professional contexts and highlight their influence on emotional regulation, communication, engagement, and performance. The study’s originality lies in creating the first psychometric tool in Spain specifically tailored to organizational settings, addressing workplace hierarchies and norms. It thus advances theoretical understanding and provides a practical framework for cultivating healthier, more resilient, and productive organizational cultures.

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