Commitment in different relationships statuses: validation study of the personal commitment scale.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Relationship Science

Background:

• Measuring commitment in romantic relationships is crucial for understanding relationship dynamics.
• Existing scales may require adaptation for different linguistic and cultural contexts.
• The short-form Dedication Scale offers a concise measure of relationship commitment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Portuguese version of the short-form Dedication Scale.
• To assess the psychometric properties and structural validity of the Portuguese Personal Commitment Scale (ECP).
• To examine commitment differences across various relationship statuses and gender.

Main Methods:

• Validation of the Portuguese Dedication Scale using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis on a sample of 924 participants.
• Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and item-total correlations were calculated.
• Criteria validity was assessed, and differences in commitment were analyzed across relationship statuses and gender.

Main Results:

• The Portuguese Personal Commitment Scale (ECP) was validated as a 12-item, one-dimensional scale with good internal consistency (α = .82) and criteria validity.
• Married individuals reported significantly higher commitment than those in formal unions.
• Men reported higher commitment levels than women; no significant differences were found between cohabiting and non-cohabiting dating participants.

Conclusions:

• The 12-item Portuguese Personal Commitment Scale (ECP) is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring commitment in romantic relationships.
• Relationship status and gender are significant factors influencing commitment levels.
• Findings provide valuable insights for researchers and clinicians studying romantic relationships in Portuguese-speaking populations.