Measuring Perceived Mutuality in Women: Further Validation of the Connection–Disconnection Scale

Abstract

Relationships with family and significant friends and partners are important contributors to the quality of life, health, and mental health of women. The Connection–Disconnection Scale (CDS) was developed to assess perceived mutuality (PM) in relationships with mothers, fathers, friends, and romantic partners, and data are presented here that offer additional reliability and validity for the scale with college women. Two samples totaling 152 women from a midwestern university completed the CDS along with theoretically similar measures. Results revealed that scores on each form of the CDS possess excellent test–retest reliability and internal consistency, and all scale items load on a single factor. Pearson correlations with theoretically similar measures, such as the Parental Attachment Questionnaire, Social Support Questionnaire, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale, showed good convergent and discriminant validity. Overall, findings suggest the CDS is a psychometrically strong assessment tool that can be used to assess PM as it relates to women's health and mental health.

Keywords:

• the Connection–Disconnection Scale (CDS)
• perceived mutuality
• relationships
• measurement
• connection
• relational-cultural theory
• creativity