The Relationship Assessment Measure for Same-Sex Couples (RAM-SSC): A Standardized Instrument for Evaluating Gay Couple Functioning

Abstract

The utility of a standardized relationship assessment tool for same-sex couples is evaluated in this preliminary study. The RAM-SSC, adapted from the Waring Intimacy Questionnaire (WIQ, Waring & Reddon, 1983; Waring, 1984), was administered to a clinical sample of 32 gay male couples beginning conjoint therapy and to a nonclinical comparison group of similar size from the gay community. Clinical sample couples reported significantly lower mean scores (less positive perceptions of functioning) in most dimensions of the RAM-SSC, compared to the nonclinical group, whose scores were found to resemble those of WIQ reference values for nongay male partners in heterosexual marriages. The RAM-SSC, therefore, can be considered as a potentially viable relationship measure for use in clinical work with gay male couples, for assessment and treatment outcome evaluation purposes. Further investigation into the psychometric properties of the RAM-SSC in terms of reliability and validity is recommended.