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Related Experiment Videos

The Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR)-short form: reliability, validity, and factor structure.

Meifen Wei¹, Daniel W Russell, Brent Mallinckrodt

¹Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames 50011-3180, USA. wei@iastate.edu

Journal of Personality Assessment

|April 18, 2007

Summary

Researchers created a shorter, 12-item version of the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR). This new scale reliably measures attachment anxiety and avoidance, showing equivalent validity to the original ECR.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Social Psychology
Relationship Science

Background:

Attachment theory is crucial for understanding interpersonal dynamics.
The original Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR) is a widely used but lengthy measure.
A concise, validated measure of attachment styles is needed for efficient research.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a short-form version of the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR).
To assess the reliability, factor structure, and validity of the 12-item ECR short form.
To confirm the measure's utility as both an embedded and stand-alone instrument.

Main Methods:

Developed a 12-item short form of the ECR across six studies.
Conducted confirmatory factor analyses to determine factor structure.
Assessed reliability (internal consistency, test-retest) and construct validity through cross-validation.
Evaluated the measure when embedded within the original ECR and as a stand-alone instrument.

Main Results:

Confirmatory factor analyses supported a two-factor structure (Anxiety, Avoidance) after controlling for response sets.
The short form demonstrated comparable reliability and validity to the original ECR across studies.
Test-retest reliability over one month was confirmed.
Equivalent results were obtained whether the short form was embedded or administered alone.

Conclusions:

The 12-item ECR short form is a reliable and valid measure of attachment anxiety and avoidance.
This abbreviated scale offers an efficient alternative for assessing relationship experiences.
The short form is suitable for diverse research applications, including use as a stand-alone measure.