Adaptation of the Life Attachment Scale to Turkish Culture: Validity and Reliability Study
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to adapt the Life Attachment Scale (LAS-R) into Turkish and evaluate its psychometric properties within the Turkish cultural context. Method: The research was conducted using two independent samples. Study 1 (N = 183) was utilized for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to determine the factor structure. Study 2 (N = 247) was conducted with a young adult sample to perform confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) employing the Robust Maximum Likelihood (MLR) estimator, and to test criterion-related validity. Results: EFA results initially indicated a cultural conceptual overlap, leading to a refined five-factor structure. Subsequent CFA confirmed a 14-item, five-factor model (Inclusiveness, Participation, Security, Coexistence, and Reliability) with excellent fit indices (CFI = .97, TLI = .96, RMSEA = .03, SRMR = .04). Criterion-related validity was established through significant moderate correlations with entrapment (r = .48) and psychological resilience (r = -.36). Furthermore, regularized partial correlation network analysis (EBICglasso) identified Reliability and Inclusiveness as the most central nodes within the psychological functioning of young adults. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the LAS-R is a valid and reliable psychometric instrument for assessing systemic belonging, trust, and social connectedness.