Identifying Attitudes and Behaviors in Intimate Relationships: Psychometric Properties of the Relationship Evaluation and Analysis Link

ABSTRACT

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Relationship Evaluation and Analysis Link (REAL), a survey that assesses attitudes and behaviors in intimate relationships including Cognitive Complexity, Expressive/Receptive, Intimacy, Negotiative, Sexual, Self-Knowledge, and Separateness. It was designed for individuals in counseling to identify key areas of functioning in intimate relationships. Four hundred and fifty-one volunteers participated from two U.S. universities. A four-week test-retest examined the consistency of responses over time. The scales demonstrated stability over a four-week period. The factor structure yielded eight factors. The REAL is a reliable instrument that can be used for its intended purposes. Future revisions may involve reducing the number of items.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognitive complexity
• communication
• counseling
• creativity in counseling
• healthy relationships
• intimacy
• sexual

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mary Ellen A. McMonigle

Mary Ellen A. McMonigle is with the Department of Psychology, La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.