The Experiences in Close Relationships - Relationship Structures Questionnaire (ECR-RS): validity evidence and reliability

Abstract

Abstract The ECR-RS assesses attachment in close relationships: father, mother, romantic partners and friends. Each relationship is assessed by a scale that theoretically comprises two factors: anxious and avoidant attachment. The main goals of this research was to estimate the first evidences of internal structure validity and reliability of the ECR-RS Brazilian version, and describe the item parameters and participants’ characteristics. The sample comprised 251 participants (mean age: 28.21 ± 10.29; 81.95% women). The categorical Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed two-dimensional structure of the scales, as theoretically hypothesized, with desirable internal consistency indexes. The Rasch-Masters Partial Credit Mode indicated that the instrument items have a level of difficulty close to the mean and suitable adjustments indexes (Infit/Outfit), and summarized description of participants’ theta levels. The results suggest that the instrument is an appropriate measure of attachment in adults.

Keywords

• attachment behavior
• psychotherapy
• psychological
• assessment
• scale
• item response theory