Emotional Availability Study

Emotional Availability.
Emotional Availability (EA) will be assessed using the fourth edition of the Emotional Availability Scales (EA; Biringen, 2008b; 2008c) and will be coded from laboratory separation-reunion episodes. Its theoretical framework integrates attachment theory with perspectives of EA taking into account the affective qualities of the dyadic relationship. Two versions of EA coding will be used in the current study due to the variations in age (i.e., the infancy/early childhood version for participants aged 2 to 5 and the middle childhood/youth version for participants aged 6 to 8). Both versions are comprised of the six scales. Two scales evaluate aspects of child behaviour (responsiveness and involvement) and four scales which
Once a referral (see Appendix B) has been received, participants will be approached by home visitors. The first interaction will be an in-home session in which a KRIP (Kings Relationship Intervention Program) visitor will briefly introduce participants to the study. In addition, background information will be collected from parents and their children (Appendix C). Informed consent will be obtained using the consent forms in Appendix D. The consent forms will explain the purpose of the study, inform individuals they are free to withdraw at any time, and limits of confidentiality are laid out. The home visitor then will book the first appointment with the assessment team at the Family Research Centre at Acadia University. Transportation will be provided by the KRIP home visitor or participants travel costs will be covered in order to encourage further participation and better accommodate the needs of the participants. The duration of the first laboratory visit will be approximately two hours (120 minutes). A number of assessment measures will completed during the visit, but only the SSP and 10 minutes of free play are relevant to this study. The procedure will take approximately 30 minutes. However, if the child is experience a considerable amount of distress the procedure may be shortened. In the weeks following the initial laboratory visit KRIP home visitors will complete observational measures (i.e., AQS and MBQS-mini). There are a number of factors which many change the length of the visit such as distress or fatigue. After the dyad has been formally introduced to the assessment team, the caregiver and child will complete the SPP then 10 minutes of free play with a doctor’s kit. After this lab visit, home visitors will complete Q-sort observations. The entire detailed protocol can be found in Appendix